Idea Phase
2. Write your rationale
A rationale is a short document that makes you think about your project idea before you begin. It should be 50-100 words, 12-point font, and double-spaced.
Address these questions in your rationale
Address these questions in your rationale
- What is your project about?
- What are your essential questions?
- How does it help to achieve short-term and/or long-term educational and personal goals?
- What PKS learning theme(s) is incorporated in this topic and why?
Learning Themes
Project based learning at PKS focuses on eleven themes. When writing your rationale, consider which theme will be incorporated into the project you are about to propose.
Self Discovery
Challenging yourself to accomplish something you never imagined doing. Reflecting on what you have learned as a result of this accomplishment or risk you have taken. Becoming more aware of how others perceive you. Undertaking a task that requires perseverance, fitness, craftsmanship, imagination, self-discipline, and significant achievement. Discovering your passions. Overcoming fears and discovering that you can do more than you think you can.
Empathy and Caring
Learning to appreciate the struggles of others. Putting yourself in the place of someone who is less fortunate. Experiencing the day-to-day struggles of individuals who are disadvantaged.
Collaboration and Competition
Understanding how individuals and organizations integrate/balance collaboration and competition with their personal best and with rigorous standards of excellence. Learning how to turn failure into success.
Diversity and Inclusion
Recognizing and investigating cultural differences and/or historical and contemporary struggles for social justice. Illustrating how diversity and inclusion increase the richness of ideas, creative power, problem solving ability, and respect for others.
The Natural World
Learning to become stewards of the earth and of future generations. Understanding how different species impact the ecological balance.
Service for the Common Good
Identifying and researching a need in your community and organizing a proactive response. Contributing time and expertise without pay to a cause that serves the common good.
History's Relevance to Contemporary Issues
Studying major global and political movements (women's rights, civil rights, etc.) and applying what you learn to contemporary issues.
Community and Global Interdependence
Investigating the interrelationship of people, communities, countries, organizations, businesses, etc. Anticipating the consequences of political acts and becoming an informed critic or proposed plans.
Productive Worker
Investigating and establishing a potential career path. Arranging for a long-term job shadow or internship opportunity related to that career path. Based on supervisor and personal assessment, determining the appropriateness of your proposed career path. Modifying your plan if necessary.
The Way Things Work
Identifying a complex system, organization, or machine and applying relevant theory or scientific principles to examine that system, organization, or machine. Making recommendations for improvement or inventing something new.
Life Planning
Identifying a case study and investigating the financial health of the subject (like budgeting, insurance, retirement, college, savings, taxes, indebtedness, and lifestyle) and making recommendations for improved financial security. Applying these findings to your own personal life plan.
Challenging yourself to accomplish something you never imagined doing. Reflecting on what you have learned as a result of this accomplishment or risk you have taken. Becoming more aware of how others perceive you. Undertaking a task that requires perseverance, fitness, craftsmanship, imagination, self-discipline, and significant achievement. Discovering your passions. Overcoming fears and discovering that you can do more than you think you can.
Empathy and Caring
Learning to appreciate the struggles of others. Putting yourself in the place of someone who is less fortunate. Experiencing the day-to-day struggles of individuals who are disadvantaged.
Collaboration and Competition
Understanding how individuals and organizations integrate/balance collaboration and competition with their personal best and with rigorous standards of excellence. Learning how to turn failure into success.
Diversity and Inclusion
Recognizing and investigating cultural differences and/or historical and contemporary struggles for social justice. Illustrating how diversity and inclusion increase the richness of ideas, creative power, problem solving ability, and respect for others.
The Natural World
Learning to become stewards of the earth and of future generations. Understanding how different species impact the ecological balance.
Service for the Common Good
Identifying and researching a need in your community and organizing a proactive response. Contributing time and expertise without pay to a cause that serves the common good.
History's Relevance to Contemporary Issues
Studying major global and political movements (women's rights, civil rights, etc.) and applying what you learn to contemporary issues.
Community and Global Interdependence
Investigating the interrelationship of people, communities, countries, organizations, businesses, etc. Anticipating the consequences of political acts and becoming an informed critic or proposed plans.
Productive Worker
Investigating and establishing a potential career path. Arranging for a long-term job shadow or internship opportunity related to that career path. Based on supervisor and personal assessment, determining the appropriateness of your proposed career path. Modifying your plan if necessary.
The Way Things Work
Identifying a complex system, organization, or machine and applying relevant theory or scientific principles to examine that system, organization, or machine. Making recommendations for improvement or inventing something new.
Life Planning
Identifying a case study and investigating the financial health of the subject (like budgeting, insurance, retirement, college, savings, taxes, indebtedness, and lifestyle) and making recommendations for improved financial security. Applying these findings to your own personal life plan.