Project: Midtown in Motion - Geography Focus

Step Description Expected Student Results
1 Project Parameter Determination and Letter of
Introduction

Student Role: Student will work with the teacher to
define the parameters of
the project study then write a letter of introduction to
the mentor.

First Message: Student shares how the project topic was
chosen and why he or she has chosen to participate.

Second Message: Student shares a commitment to meet the
minimum requirements of the program. These include:
communication with mentor at least three times a week,
using the project tracker, notifying teacher
proactively when communication three times a week isn't
possible, conducting and writing about independent
research, and submitting a final survey. Student also
shares which days of the week the mentor can expect
a message.

Mentor Role: Mentor will brainstorm with student to
identify possible details of research and
questions/issues of professional expectations of a study.
The goal is to allow students to narrow the parameters of
their study so it will be manageable and more relevant to
the student and the stakeholders.

Mentor shares an eagerness to meet the minimum
requirements as well as the best days for posting and
reading messages.

Additional Comments: It is important that the student
understands the responsibilities and benefits of the
program.
1. The student will write a letter of introduction to the
mentor explaining his/her interests and activities in and
out of school and what they hope to gain from the
project.

2. The student will explain the philosophy and goals of
the Midtown development - demonstrating understanding of
the overall geographic characteristics of Fort Collins,
the implementation goals of MAX, and the stakeholder's
needs as
well.

3. Student will send all of the above inforamation to
mentor for feedback.

2 Conduct General Research

Student task: the student will have identified and determined the parameters for the study. The student will work with the mentor to design the research study related to the interests and challenges connected to the impact of MAX. Student will upload information for mentor feedback.

The mentor will respond to student research and suggest additional sources for research.

Students will research the challenges, issues, or problems that have occurred in relation to the MAX development, and write a paragraph describing each.

After sharing this information with the mentor, students will narrow their focus of research and design their study.

3 Implement Study Research

Students will conduct their field research in accordance with the study parameters developed with the mentor.

Students will record research results and report to the mentor, discussing their progress.

Mentors will continue to guide the students through the research phase of this project. 		Students will collect and record data as determined by their study parameters.

Students will work with the mentor and the teacher to ensure correct collection and preparation of the data.

Students will organize the data for future analysis.

Students will work with the mentor to determine whether further data collection is necessary.
4 Data Analysis

1. Review data collection results to determine whether or not further collection is necessary. (Compare results to the requests of the stakeholders and the advice from the mentor).

2. Determine whether further research is needed in any areas of the study. If so, define the parameters and prepare to conduct the research. If not, continue with analysis.

3. With the mentor: * determine the essential outcomes of the study. (What "big pictures" did it reveal?) * compare the outcomes to other previously researched communities (how does Ft. Collins compare to other cities?) * discuss recommendations to the stakeholders.

4. With the teacher: * discuss the methodology for creating a report for the stakeholders (how should the information be presented?) 		Students will understand how data and information can be used, manipulated, and presented.

Students will be able to use and compare information gathered from other sources and make informed decisions based on the information.

Students will be able to understand how to present information to a separate audience.
5 Prepare preliminary Report

1. Students will create a preliminary report for the stakeholders and organize a meeting to garner feedback.

2. The report will include the stakeholder essential questions/issues as well as a summary of the findings thus far.

3. Students will discuss stakeholder feedback with their mentor to determine whether further research/analysis is needed. If not, students will begin to finalize their report and create a presentation.		 Students will create a preliminary report or summary of their findings.

Students will organize a meeting with the stakeholders (and teacher) to review the findings.

Based on the feedback from the stakeholders students will work with their mentor to determine whether to continue any parts of the research or to move forward towards a finalized formal report.
6 Final Report

Students will create a final report to the stakeholder group which will include the development of the study, results, as well as recommendations for the future of MAX and the Midtown development.

 Creation of a final report to the stakeholder group.

Students will understand the importance of collaboration with mentors, teachers, and the stakeholders.

Students will understand how the collaborative process is necessary and its functionality in the professional arena.
7 Formal Presentation to Stakeholder Group

Student Role:
1. Student will present final product to an audience.

2. Students will submit final project to mentor and teacher for review.

Mentor Role: Mentor will provide student with an objective evaluation of the project.
1. The student will submit final project to mentor and teacher for review. Mentor and teacher will provide student with feedback and suggestions for expanding/improving project before final presentation.

2. Student will present their final product to an appropriate audience, answer questions, and receive input/evaluation from teacher/audience 		1. The student will submit final project to mentor and teacher for review. Mentor and teacher will provide student with feedback and suggestions for expanding/improving project before final presentation.

2. Student will present their final product to an appropriate audience, answer questions, and receive input/evaluation from teacher/audience
8 Recommendation to Future Researchers

Student will meet with prospective students who plan to work on the Midtown in Motion project the following year.

Student will present an overview of their process and a summary of their findings.

Student will discuss the process with the prospective students and offer suggestions for further research topics within the Midtown in Motion scope.		 1. Students will be able to engage in self-reflection with their peers, allowing that process to become an expected norm within the project.

2. Students will be able to help become the next generation of mentors as they begin the process with other students.

3. Students may be able to help direct the focus of future study - allowing them to remain involved in, and enthusiastic about, the project.
9 Project Completion

Student Role:
1. Student will write a 300-500 word letter to mentor. The
subject of the letter will be a self-evaluation of the
project, including what the student did well, what he would
like to have done to improve upon the project, and what the
mentor contributed to the process.

2. Student will submit a final project survey via the ITP
Web site.

Mentor Role:

1. The mentor will write a similar message for the student.

2. The mentor will submit a final project survey.

 1. Student will write a 300-500 word end-of-project letter
to mentor. The subject of the letter will be a self-
evaluation of the project, including what the student did
well, what he would like to have done to improve upon the
project, and what the mentor contributed to the process.
The student will include his/her thanks to his/her mentor.

2. Student will submit a final project survey via the ITP
Web site.