Valley Scholars: Final 10th Grade Project
“I’m Going to College!”
Event: May 2, 2017
Due: April 25, 2017
For the closure of year three of the Valley Scholars Program, you will be creating a product that shares what you’ve learned about navigating the steps to college readiness and attendance. You and your fellow Valley Scholars will be sharing your projects with individuals at JMU and in the Shenandoah Valley community on May 2, 2017. This project will be completed by you, your mentors and fellow Valley Scholars within your school.
Assignment requirements/guidelines: For this project to be successful, it must communicate the following information:
Content:
1. Identify and understand academic college readiness (class scheduling, grades, retaking a class, playing to your strengths as a student)
2. Increased awareness of college pathways and careers (variety of majors, 4-year degree requirements of careers)
3. Identify and understand different types of colleges and programs after high school (4-year, 2-year, public v. private, choosing the right school)
Personal:
1. Identify personal academic subject area interests and strengths
2. Identify extra-curricular activities and how they relate to skill building and college readiness
3. Identify barriers and obstacles to achievement and how to overcome
4. Create and set attainable goals
Skill:
1. Identify resources supporting academic achievement and personal growth (tutors, online assistance, mentors)
2. Identify barriers and obstacles to achievement and strategies to overcome and succeed. (family life, financial obstacles, mental health,)
Product Options: You may choose from the following product options in order to communicate this information:
1) Board Game
2) Informational Video
3) Other
Project Specs - Board Game
Role: You are a group of board game designers
Audience: High school students interested in how to prepare for college attendance
Situation: You are board game designers who have been hired to create a game which will be used to introduce high school students to the requirements, steps, supports, barriers to college readiness and attendance. Your game should also help high school students see strategies for overcoming any obstacles they may face.
Product: A game complete with game board, all necessary playing pieces, and clear instructions
Successful games will require players to interact with the following information…
1. How to be ready for college (class scheduling, grades, retaking a class, playing to your strengths as a student)
2. Different types of colleges and programs after high school (4-year, 2-year, public vs. private)
3. Different college pathways and careers (variety of majors, 4-year degree requirements of careers)
4. How to choose the right kind of school, the right school, and the right major
5. Different extra-curricular activities and how they relate to skill building and college readiness
6. Resources available for supporting academic achievement and personal growth (tutors, online assistance, mentors)
7. Potential barriers and obstacles to achievement and strategies to overcome and succeed. (family life, financial obstacles, mental health,)
Quality of Production – Games should emulate those in today’s marketplace by…
1. …reflecting the form and appearance of top selling games. Examine exemplars for game set up, structure, use of color and images, etc.
2. …avoiding errors in grammar and spelling that would detract from the game’s professionalism
3. …requiring significant time and investment to play (XXXX minutes and XXXX players)
4. …incorporating both skill (knowledge of topic) and chance (e.g., rolling dice, landing on spots that cause player to advance or retreat) and/or risk (e.g., wagering points)
Exemplars: Monopoly, Sorry, Taboo, Cranium, Apples to Apples, Life, Trivial Pursuit, Jeopardy
Project Specs – Informational Video
Role: You are a group of video journalists
Audience: High school students interested in how to prepare for college attendance
Situation: You are a video journalist who are interested in producing a feature video which will introduce high school students to the requirements, steps, supports, barriers to college readiness and attendance. Your video should also help high school students see strategies for overcoming any obstacles they may face.
Product: A video suitable for posting on YouTube for national viewing
Successful videos will expose viewers to the following information…
1. How to be ready for college (class scheduling, grades, retaking a class, playing to your strengths as a student)
2. Different types of colleges and programs after high school (4-year, 2-year, public vs. private)
3. Different college pathways and careers (variety of majors, 4-year degree requirements of careers)
4. How to choose the right kind of school, the right school, and the right major
5. Different extra-curricular activities and how they relate to skill building and college readiness
6. Resources available for supporting academic achievement and personal growth (tutors, online assistance, mentors)
7. Potential barriers and obstacles to achievement and strategies to overcome and succeed. (family life, financial obstacles, mental health,)
Quality of Production – Videos should emulate quality productions online by…
1. …reflecting the form and technique used in popular videos (e.g., incorporating a combination of reporting, acting, visuals [charts/graphs], music, and images). Examine exemplars online for expert use of these elements.
2. …avoiding errors in grammar, spelling, tone, etc. that would detract from the video’s professionalism
3. …requiring significant time and investment to view (XXXX minutes)
4. …conveying knowledge of topic in an entertaining and interactive way (e.g., pausing for small quizzes)
Exemplars: (ADD A FEW SITES)
Other Requirements -
Picture/media requirements - Pictures are required in the creation of your topic. You may also create and use your own photos. Be creative. If you would like to use pictures from events this year, contact the Valley Scholars office with a request and we can provide access to pictures.
Identify Your Audience - Think of the things you would like to have known before entering high school. Your audience in this project are the students who come behind you.
Presentation – Presentations will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 during the closing program. Each group will have their project on show for parents, faculty, and JMU students. Each student must be involved in the presentation of your final project.
Your final presentation must be written/outlined and turned in on April 25, 2017. Email the project to
If you have any questions, contact the Valley Scholars office at (540) 568-7232
Dates to remember:
· Idea for final project: March 24, 2017
· Project Due Date: April, 25, 2017
· Presentation Outline/Write-Up (1 minute): April 25, 2017
· Presentation Day for Projects: May 2, 2017
Planning Guide
Use the space below to plan your project
Members of your team and project responsibility:
Example: Sally Smith Job: Design game board or operate video equipment
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Project selection (March 18th ):
Board Game
Informational Video
Other (proposal must be submitted to VS office before March 24)
Materials needed to complete project:
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Materials needed for your presentation:
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How to be ready for college (SAT, class scheduling, grades, retaking a class, playing to your strengths as a student):
Example: Preparing for SAT by using Khan Academy, taking PSAT, taking SAT multi times or do not prepare for SAT.
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Different types of colleges and programs after high school (4-year, 2-year, public vs. private):
Example: Decision in your game to attend 4-year or 2-year program.
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Different college pathways and careers (variety of majors, 4-year degree requirements of careers):
Example: Commit to either a paraprofessional program (pre-law, pre-med) or a 4-year degree in same field.
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How to choose the right school, and the right major:
Example: Decision to attend large/small university or community college.
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Different extra-curricular activities and how they relate to skill building and college readiness:
Example: Decision to become member of National Honor Society, complete community service, play sports.
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Resources available for supporting academic achievement and personal growth (tutors, online assistance, mentors):
Example: Decision to attend study sessions/support opportunities or not to attend.
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Potential barriers and obstacles to achievement and strategies to overcome and succeed. (family life, financial obstacles, mental health, time management, study skills, social/interpersonal relationships)
Example: Do I watch TV or do I study for science test/complete research paper?
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What did you and/or your team gain from this experiences?
Drafting Schedule:
Example: We will meet each Wednesday after school for 2 hours.
Progress Monitoring:
Meeting Date / Task(s) attempted / Task(s) completed / Task(s) remaining / Comments