WELCOME to URBAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL'S
GRADUATION OUTCOMES PROJECT (GOP)
A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPONENTS:
IDENTIFICTION OF A TOPIC: Students will research interests for choosing
a topic for their GOP project. Each student will meet with a panel of UCS
staff to discuss topic and decide how to narrow the topic for the project.
Students will submit a proposal, a description of why the project will be
meaningful, the social impact of their project and what the student plans to
accomplish through the project. Parents and faculty advisors must approve
the project.
RESEARCH NOTE CARDS: All research for the project needs to be
recorded on 4 X 6 index cards (at least 35). There is a minimum requirement
of 3 to 6 sources, using 3 types of sources (one of which needs to be the
internet). The research sources must be cited at the end of the research
paper as "works cited". (See your textbook: Write Source 2000, "Writing
Research Papers" pgs. 223-235 as reference for your "Works Cited" page. Make
sure you include this information on your research notecards.) Only this form
will be accepted
RESEARCH PAPER: The purpose of the research paper is to share
the information you have learned through your research in a logical,
organized manner. This paper needs to be 3 to 5 pages in length using at
least three direct quotes from your research. You need a one paragraph
introduction, describing what you are writing about and giving an indication
of why it is important to you. The introduction should include your thesis
statement. The content of your paper is in the supporting paragraphs. Your
content should support your thesis and make points that explain each detail
or concept. Your concluding paragraph should re-state the main points of
your paper. It addresses how your research supports your thesis statement or
what you had hoped to find in your research and what the social implications
are for your thesis.
JOURNAL: Weekly students will be given time to write in
a journal documenting their progress on their GOP. Included in the weekly
journal entry: Date of the entry (if a student is absent on Friday when this
is done in class it is his/her responsibility to complete the journal entry
on his/her own); What did you accomplish on your GOP this week?; What have
your learned from your GOP this week?; How much time did you spend on your
GOPthis week?; What are your feelings/reactions to your project?; What
problems have you experienced during your work? How did you solve these
problems?; What are your plans for working on your GOP for the coming week?
What will you do next? What is great about your project?; How can you make
it better?
TANGIBLE PRODUCT: Each project must produce something
tangible. The product may take several forms: a backboard, a powerpoint
presentation, a model, a museum exhibit. Your tangible product must be used
in your oral presentation. The product should be an outgrowth of the
research that is done, but the research itself cannot serve as your product.
PRESENTATION Each student will make a formal 3 to 5 minute presentation
describing the project, the product and its relationship to a social issue.
The presentation will be for a panel of community members. Parents and
family are encouraged to attend the oral presentation.