Project Based Inquiry

Murrays Bay Intermediate

Student Handbook

What is Project Based Inquiry?

Project Based Inquiry is a learning unit designed to give you the opportunity to
put your interests, knowledge, and passion into your learning by undertaking a
community based project. It puts you in the driver's seat! You are free to come
up with your own ideas, follow your passion, and try out crazy ideas that you
think might work. This project has many different aspects that draw on all of the
learning areas in the New Zealand Curriculum and joins them together into one
unit of learning. You need to use all of your prior knowledge, look ahead to
discover what new knowledge you might need, think critically, engage in
problem-solving, and become focused on what you want in your community.
This is your chance to start understanding how you can shape your future
society. This learning unit revolves around a focus question that sets you on your
own personalised journey.
Subject based learning process:
Told what you need to know ---Learn it---Given a problem to show knowledge
Problem based inquiry process:
Problem given---Identify what you need to know---- learn and apply knowledge
to solve the problem

Project focus question:

What action or project can improve the quality of life for young people to enable
them to be active, participating and contributing members of your community?

Project Outcomes:

1. To encourage your participation in the community.

2. To enable you to have a say in how your community should look by

understanding the process of implementing change in society.

3. Use your prior knowledge of curriculum content in a real-world context

that is relevant to your needs, passions, and interests.

4. To help you identify your future learning needs to enable you to be active
lifelong learners.

5. To help you develop your creativity, innovation, and critical thinking

abilities.
Steps to complete this learning unit:

1. Identify a need in your local community (could be school or outside

school).
2. Conduct a survey of your peers to find out what other young people feel is
needed in their community then determine how that need could be
fulfilled.
3. Decide how to meet the identified need.
4. Write a brief summary proposing your solution.
5. Undertake a design process of your solution.
6. Cost your solution.
7. Prepare a scale model or example of solution.
8. Draft a business case for your solution. Identify need, survey results
proposed solution, pros and cons, cost and projected outcome.
9. Present the project to applicable parties (Principal/BoTs, Local Board,
Government Submission etc.).

1. Identify a need in your local community (could be school or outside

school).
What is missing from your school or community that would make you feel
more valued in your community? This need should be something that would
make young people feel valued, connected, and involved in the community.

Notes:A Swimming Pool With A Shelter And Heaters

2. Conduct a survey of your peers to find out what other young people
feel is needed in their community then determine how that need could be
fulfilled.
Your survey could be conducted by talking to your peers, siblings or other
young people within the school, youth groups, church etc. Consider using
recording devices to keep a record of your interviews. Electronic surveys can
be used (such as www.surveymonkey.com) to reach a broader base of young
people. Attach survey results below.

Survey Results:
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3. Decide how to meet the identified need.
Once you have identified the need you should start thinking about solutions.
Consider using a mindmap. Make a Pros and Cons list (this can be added to
over the course of this unit).

Mindmap:

Pros:
It Could Be Another Day T Option
We Would Be Different Because A Lot Of Intermediate Schools Have No Pool
It Is Good For School Holidays
It Is Fun For Kids And Teachers
It Is Good For The MBIS Swimming Team To Practice In

Cons
It Is Very Expensive
It Takes Up A Lot Of Space
It Is Hard To Look After
It Will Be Expensive If It Breaks

4.Write a brief summary proposing your solution.

Your summary should include the need you have identified, survey results
presented in a chart or other visual format, your decision on how to fulfill the
need, a pros and cons list, and your projected benefit to the community and
young people. Do you have evidence to show your idea is of benefit to young
people in the community?
This must be sent to your teacher for feedback/feed forward before you continue
further with this project.
Some useful links for writing a summary:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6698378_write-project-summary-report.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Project-Management-Report

Summary:
5. Undertake a design process of your solution.
In order to determine if your project is feasible you must go through a design
process. This does not need to be a full set of architectural plans however it
needs be good enough that you can work out what materials will be needed to
complete your project in real time. You also need to be able to scale your
design down to build a scale model of your project.
Some useful links for design apps/software;
http://www.123dapp.com/create
http://planner5d.com
http://www.sketchup.com
http://www.designpromotivate.com/2013/06/free-ipad-design-apps-inspirat
ion.html

Notes:

6.Projected financial cost your solution.

http://www.brighthubpm.com/templates-forms/122282-ten-best-pm-templa
tes-from-google-docs/

7. Prepare a scale model or example of solution.

Your scale model will be used in your final presentation to show your vision.
Please check the below links for hints and tips for building models. This list is
not exhaustive and you are free to find alternative methods for your
presentation (including 3d graphics if you so desire).
Why build a scale model?
http://youtu.be/d27tOwET0SU

Links for scale model examples:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale_model
http://www.archiform3d.com/scale-models/07-rocksugar-scale-model/rocks
ugar-scale-model.php
http://www.howardmodels.com/Architectural-Scale-Models/Calloway/

Resource links for building scale models:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Scale-model-house/
http://stuckinstudio.com/resources/55-architectural-model-making-advice-f
or-students.html
http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-projects/free-scale-model-plans.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_6827966_materials-build-model-house.html
http://thebrickblogger.com/2012/08/building-lego-models-tips-from-the-pro
s/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A30466181
3d Graphics (Hint See Miss Castle for 3d graphics tutorials):
http://youtu.be/2FJ8nEVHFLs

Online scale tool:

http://jbwid.com/scalcalc.htm

Notes:

8. Draft a business case for your solution. Identify need, survey results,
proposed solution, pros and cons, cost and projected outcome.

Useful links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JazFRWiwxaU

Notes:

9.Present the project to applicable parties (Principal/BoTs, Local Board,

Government Submission etc.).
This is where you will draw together every aspect of your project so far
and make a presentation to either your Principal/BoTs, Auckland City
Local Board, or make a Government Submission. Undertaking this
process gives you a voice in shaping your future society.
Useful links:

How to sell your idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JazFRWiwxaU
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/83496
http://www.mdaniels.com/office-hacks-how-to-sell-an-idea-in-5-steps/

Auckland City Council Local Boards:

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representatives
bodies/LocalBoards/Pages/Aboutlocalboards.aspx
http://www.shapeauckland.co.nz

Is your project eligible for local council funding?

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/newseventsculture/community
fundingsupport/grantsfunding/communityfunding/Documents/commu
nitydevelopmentfundguidelines.pdf
Making a Government Submission:
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/0000241252

Contacting you Member of Parliament:

http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/get-involved/conta
ct/00PlibHvYrSayContact1/contact-an-mp

How to create a great presentation:

Notes:

10.What do you need to know to complete this project?