ACADEMIC RIGOR

Signature projects are academically rigorous. Students build skills in several different academic and career areas. Signature projects are based on Boston's Citywide Learning Standards and the Nine School to Career Competencies.

Signature Projects are academically rigorous applied learning projects that are a hallmark of School to Career practice in Boston. Signature Projects are characterized by six A's:
   Authenticity
Academic Rigor
   Applied Learning
   Active Exploration
   Adult Connections
   Assessment

Learning Standards Used in the Featured Signature Projects

English Language Arts

• Plan, present, and evaluate oral presentations that demonstrate appropriate consideration of audience and purpose
• Participate effectively in debates
• Understand, analyze, evaluate and respond to oral presentations
• Lead a group discussion
• Communicate results obtained by observation, questioning, and interviewing through oral presentation
• Understand and express different points of view
• Identify and employ references, including primary documents, secondary sources and information technologies
• Make connections between reading and personal experiences.
• Employ effective research and study skills
• Analyze, interpret and evaluate literature
• Understand and express different points of view
• Employ arts to communicate thoughts and beliefs
• Read newspapers and journals
• Read and analyze online texts
• Construct graphic organizers
• Understand and use the writing process effectively
• Make appropriate and correct use of grammar, punctuation, capitalization and other standard English conventions when editing written work
• Identify, describe, and apply knowledge of the structure of the English language
• Employ a variety of writing formats and utilize technology to complete and enhance work

Math

• Apply math skills to construct, read and interpret data
• Use tables and graphs as tools to interpret expressions, equations, and inequalities
• Collect, organize, and describe data
• Apply knowledge of graphs and charts
• Use charts, graphs, and tables to interpret mathematical concepts
• Draw and plot data using Cartesian Coordinates
• Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data
• Apply knowledge of fractions and percents
• Apply knowledge of interest rates and rates of return
• Analyze account books and earnings reports
• Develop and defend conclusions with data
• Apply knowledge of geometry in the design of 3D model
• Use estimation strategies to judge the reasonableness of results of computation and problem solving involving real and complex numbers
• Use estimation when making and interpreting graphs

Science

• Use technologies to present information effectively
• Interview a practicing or applied scientist
• Understand human interaction with nature over time, technologies developed, benefits and consequences of our actions and the impact of science
• Research, analyze, and evaluate social, environmental challenges through observation, experimentation, research, and application of unifying concepts of science
• Use technologies to present information effectively
• Design and conduct scientific investigations
• Evaluate social or personal issues in terms of how science can and cannot contribute to their clarification and resolution
• Analyze, interpret and evaluate data

Social Studies

• Demonstrate understanding of current events
• Read and analyze data from newspapers
• Complete a research report
• Understand the significance of social trends on business activity and economic activity
• Make effective presentations

Media Technology

• Use video and computer technology to solve real problems facing real people today
• Employ various formats and technologies to complete and enhance work
• Explore career options in new media, science and technology

Engineering

• Integrate scientific and mathematical principles by engaging in active engineering design and development projects
• Develop an understanding of technology/engineering as a system that includes a goal, input, process, output and feedback
• Use resources such as people, materials, tools, information, finances and time
• Design a product using engineering and scientific principles
• Evaluate, troubleshoot, use and improve a product that was already designed
• Document the design process through written and graphic means including three-dimensional drawings
• Make an engineering presentation of the finished product (including an explanation of the scientific principles involved) using print, visual and electronic media
• Analyze a product to determine the need it was designed to meet and the customers it was meant to attract
• Invent a product to meet a need, or redesign a product to optimize its operation
• Solve complex problems using prior knowledge and skills

Entrepreneurship

• Develop basic knowledge of money management and entrepreneurship
• Strengthen foundation skills in critical thinking, oral and written communication, math, social sciences, economics, and computer applications

Technology

• Choose procedures, software applications, tools and equipment needed
• Apply appropriate technology to complete and enhance work
• Troubleshoot application and software problems
• Use video and computer technology to solve real real problems that face real people today
• Employ various formats and technologies to complete and enhance work
• Use computer technology to problem solve challenges

School to Career Competencies

• Communicate and understand ideas and information
  
• Collect, analyze and organize information
  
• Identify and solve problems
  
• Use technology
  
• Initiate and complete entire activities
  
• Act professionally
  
• Interact with others
  
• Understand all aspects of an industry
  
• Career and life choices