Student Name: Jaiden A DeBoe

Grade Contracted For: A

What concepts are
you going to learn, or
skills are you going
to develop?		How will you learn the
content/ develop the
skill?		What evidence will you add
to the portfolio to
demonstrate your learning?		How will you and I
assess the evidence of
your learning/skills?
(30%)
Based on (2C)
Critical & Creative Thinking: Transforms ideas through synthesizing knowledge from multiple domains.		I will explore multiple sources in order to get a greater understanding of my topic– Week 2 Reading Reflection

– 10 Research
Paper
Citations

– Scientist
Spotlight (Dr. Nina Jablonski)

– Annotated
Bibliography

– Research
Paper Draft

– Experimental
Design Draft		Each assignment will have at least one source used and evaluated to display my understanding
(30%)
Based on (7A)
Skills for Lifelong Learning: Explores a topic in depth, yielding a rich awareness and/or little-known information
indicating intense interest in the subject.		I will thoroughly
explain my newfound
understanding of
topics explored in and outside of class		– Scientist
Reflection

– Week 5 Reading
Reflection

– Scientist
Spotlight (Dr. Ayanna Johnson)

– Research
Paper Draft

– Experimental
Design Draft

– Jigsaw Prep #1		Each assignment will contain a section where I relate the topic to a real world
situation
(10%)
Based on (9A)
Problem-Solving Skills: Constructs insightful problem statements with evidence of relevant factors.		I will develop clear statements of problems that I wish to address using the research project– 5 Project Ideas

– Draft Outline of 2 Project Ideas		Each assignment will contain well thought research questions with an independent
and dependent
variable
(20%)
Based on (4C)
Global Learning: Applies knowledge and skills to implement sophisticated, workable solutions to address complex global problems using interdisciplinary perspectives.		I will search for
effective solutions for
problems addressed in my research project
drafts		– 10 Research
Paper Citations

– Annotated
Bibliography

– Research
Paper Draft

– Experimental
Design Draft		Each assignment will contain at least one solution for a
proposed problem that was either found
online and cited, or constructed by myself
(10%)
Based on (5B)
Information Literacy: Accesses information using effective, well-designed search strategies and appropriate sources.		I will find proper
sources to cite my research assignments		– 10 Research
Paper
Citations

– Research
Paper Draft		Each assignment will contain ten citations for proper sources

Scientist Reflection

  • My first reflection of the semester talked about common traits in all scientists. I argued that every scientist has a natural curiosity about the world around them, which contributes to their interests in exploring scientific topics. I also go on to use Neil deGrasse Tyson as an example by saying that he often conducts research on various topics and posts the results on Twitter. This demonstrates my understanding of scientist traits by relating them to the traits of an actual scientist, meeting my second goal. (Goal #2)

Week 2 Reading Reflection

  • In this reflection, I used Braiding Sweetgrass as my primary source, while also pulling in information from National Geographics when it came to mentioning light pollution. This proves that I have met my goal of taking in knowledge from multiple sources. (Goal #1)

5 Project Ideas

  • This assignment contained five different research questions, each with an independent and dependent variable. For example, the third question’s independent variable is the access to clean water, while the dependent variables are the student’s mental health and performance in school. This serves as evidence that I have met my goal of writing proper research questions. (Goal #3)

Jigsaw Prep #1

  • When answering what is the significance of the issue in the article, I explained how anthropocentric policies have only increased problems in our world, such as pollution. My ability to relate information from the article to real world issues shows that I have met my goal of displaying a deeper understanding of a topic. (Goal #2)

10 Article Citations

  • In order to write my Research Paper on passive vs. active learning strategies, I had to find ten articles to get my data from. Each source I found was either a primary research article or a review article that was written by professional researchers attempting to answer questions similar to my topic. These sources, and their citations, meet my fifth goal of citing credible sources. (Goal #5)
  • The majority of my sources concluded that the implementation of active learning strategies is the best solution for a lack of engagement in schools. Finding this workable solution for student engagement in multiple sources proves that I met my fourth goal (Goal #4)
  • The sources that I used in order to write these citations also proves that I have met my first goal of exploring different domains. (Goal #1)

Scientist Spotlight (Dr. Nina Jablonski)

  • The information pulled for my evaluation on Dr. Jablonski’s work was from her TED Talk on skin pigmentation and her journal article about the same topic. The use of these sources shows that I have met my goal of using multiple sources to get information. (Goal #1)

Week 5 Reading Reflection

  • For the second question, I used modern communication as an example of a daily activity that is shortened thanks to certain conveniences. This contrasts the concept mentioned by Kimmerer in Tending Sweetgrass, the concept being that maple sap requires a lot of time and effort to collect. The example that I used demonstrates my understanding of the topics discussed in this specific chapter of Braiding Sweetgrass, meeting my second goal. (Goal #2)

Draft Outline of 2 Project Ideas

  • Included in my early draft of the Research Project was two initial research questions, one of them being “How does passive vs. active learning strategies effect student engagement on water conservation education?”. Including these two questions proves that I have met my goal of developing proper research questions. (Goal #3)

Annotated Bibliography

  • My group’s Annotated Bibliography contained citations from 10 different sources, proving that I have met my goal of taking information from multiple sources. (Goal #1)
  • The sources used also explore the effect of active or hybrid learning strategies on student engagement. This proves that I have met my goal of exploring solutions to real world problems. (Goal #4)

Research Paper Draft

  • Each article evaluated in my Research Paper Draft is a properly cited source, proving that I have met my goal of pulling in information from different sources. (Goal #1)
  • In the introduction, I contrasted the fast-paced development of vehicles with the slow improvement on the education system, proving that I have met my goal of showing a deep understanding of a new topic. (Goal #2)
  • The proposed solution for my research problem is the implementation of active learning strategies in the education system, which is supported by many of the sources included in my Research Paper Draft, this proves that I have met my goal of looking into solutions for world problems. (Goal #4)
  • The ten citations included throughout this draft prove that I have met my goal of citing proper sources. (Goal #5)

Experimental Design Draft

  • For the experimental design, my group decided to go with Sonia’s project for the Research Team class, which was found from a source outside of the 10 sources listed. This proves my ability to use multiple sources to take in information. (Goal #1)
  • My experimental design draft idea was pulled directly from an active learning strategy used in a classroom setting. This demonstrates my deeper understanding of the topic at hand. (Goal #2)
  • The idea for a hands-on activity revolving around water conservation is one proposed solution for disengaged students, proving my ability to explore workable solutions. (Goal #4)

Scientist Spotlight (Dr. Ayanna Johnson)

  • For the first question, I mentioned how industries such as the trash and recycling ones would have to change their entire business models in order to slow down the effects of climate change. This real-world example shows that I have a true understanding for the factors that go into climate change. (Goal #2)