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Operation Genius The Rules
1. You will spend 20% of our class time over the third quarter, or every Friday,
working on what we will call, “Operation Genius”. 2. You must work ALONE. This is about conjuring YOUR inner genius, creativity,
passions, and intelligence.
3. Choose a project that is new to you and something you would not normally do in another academic class.
4. You must produce a product, invention or achieve some sort of goal.
5. You must write up a proposal and pitch it to the rest (60 seconds) of the class that
includes purpose, audience, timeline and resources you will need to complete the project. You will pitch your product in a “Shark Tank” style presentation in front of your classmates.
6. Choose an adult to be a mentor. I am an English teacher, and I do not have a lot of
experience with some of the products you might choose. It can be someone within school, in the community, or in the business world. They MUST have some knowledge to help you with your project.
7. Reflect on the process each week on a personal blog on Google Sites.
8. If, at any moment, you feel lost, overwhelmed, or uninspired, you must set a
meeting with me to find a solution.
9. Around the 10-week mark, you will present your project and reflect on the process in a five-minute presentation.
FAILURE IS AN OPTION. Simply learning from your mistakes teaches
you so much!
Thin Questions vs. Thick Questions
The title of your passion project is going to be in question form, in a THICK-QUESTION format.
Thin Questions *Can be answered very easily *Usually can be answered with one word *There is not much discussion needed to answer a thin question *The answer can be easily found-It is “Googleable” *Answers are on the surface
Examples of Thin Questions Ex. Who is the main character?
Ex. Where does the setting take place? Thin Questions start with:
Who… What…
Where… When…
Thick Questions *Harder to answer *Needs evidence to help answer the question *There might be many answers *Answers have depth *Need background knowledge to help answer the question *Answers might be open-ended- ”Non-Googleable”
Question Starters for THICK Questions What is the impact…
What is the influence… What is the relationship…
What if… What would happen… What could happen… What is the result… How can you use… What is the cause… What is the effect…
How can you change or modify… What could be done to improve…
Why… How…
Rough Idea of Your Thick Question
90-Second “Shark Tank” Pitch In the business world, an “elevator pitch” is a quick, passionately delivered description of a product that an inventor/business owner has created. You never know when you’ll be standing in line or sharing an elevator ride with a rich and powerful investor. To make the most of such an opportunity, an inventor must have an elevator pitch ready to roll at a moment’s notice. At the beginning of class, you will “pitch” your Operation Genius idea to the class with a 90-second elevator pitch/mini-presentation. Your pitch MUST include: -Your name & “Thick” Question -What you want to create during your Operation Genius Project -Why you chose this project (Tell a little story, give history, a definition, etc.) -What materials/resources you’ll need -What are your first three steps to getting the project started -What obstacles you are anticipating -Why this project is worthy of a significant investment of time -Graciously thank the audience for their time/consideration of your idea Your presentation MUST: -be a Prezi (www.prezi.com) or an Emaze (www.emaze.com) presentation -Maximum of 6 slides -You want your presentation to ENHANCE your project -You must make index cards to use and hand in for your pitch Be organized with your thoughts and ready to speak passionately about your Operation Genius Project proposal. You will also participate in a full-class question/answer session after your pitch (Shark-Tank style), so be ready to further explain/defend your idea.
Intern (0 – 1 pts.) Employee (2 pts.) Boss (3 pts.)
Idea is interesting/fun, but seems already familiar to student. Doesn’t pose a real challenge. A reasonable choice, but not the most worthwhile use of this time.
Idea is personally meaningful an will present a real challenge. A good choice that will provide a worthwhile use of this time.
Idea is epic. The project has the potential to be useful in other endeavors and/or benefit others. This idea fully embraces the innovative spirit of the assignment.
Motivation is unclear or barely mentioned. Seems like the student is going through the emotions, rather than genuinely interested.
Motivation is identified and interesting to the audience. The motivation is clear and logical, but not inspired.
Motivation is described in entertaining detail that excites the audience. It seems this project could potentially be life-changing for this person.
Understands what will be needed to accomplish this task, but answers to questions are vague, and lack detail. More research/planning needed.
Has thought through many of the resources and/or obstacles of the project and is at ease during questioning. Can answer all questions, but doesn’t elaborate.
Demonstrates full knowledge by answering all audience questions with explanations. Has clearly thought through all the elements of the project.
We can hear the student clearly, but eye contact is limited. Voice lacks drama and speaker rarely varies tone, volume, or inflection. Body language is stiff.
We can hear the student clearly and eye contact is good. Speak attempts to vary tone, volume, or inflection of voice. Body language is relaxed.
Student draws in the audience with eye contact, an engaging, storytelling voice, and dynamic body language. Doesn’t overdo any of these elements.
Student shows little or mixed feelings about his/her product. Audience is not excited about the proposed project because the student doesn’t seem enthused.
Student shows some enthusiasm about his/her project. Audience is cautiously hopeful that the proposed project will be fruitful for the student.
Student is on fire for this project. The presentation makes us want to stop what we’re doing and help the student accomplish his/her goal.
Total Out of 15 Points:________
Intern (0 - 1 pts.) Employee (2-3 pts.) Boss (4-5 pts.) The media presentation lacks color and time. Lack of effort is obvious, and it does not meet the requirements from the assignment.
The media presentation is good. Color and graphics are used to enhance the project. Time is
invested. Amazing media presentation! It is obvious that
the students spent time preparing the presentation.
Limited use of the index cards. They are vague and there is limited information on them.
Student used index cards to help them with their presentation. Good use of information on the
cards. Well thought out.
Excellent use of index cards for the presentation. The index cards are extremely
informative.
Total Out of 10 Points: __________
Total: ________/25
________ x 4= ______________
Comments:
Project Idea
Brain Work of project plan
Motivation behind Idea
Speaking Style
Enthusiasm; Professionalism
Presentation
Index Cards
Name:
Operation Genius Pitch
Blog Template *This is the blog template you should use for all of your other blogs. Please be sure to proofread your work. Remember the , FANBOYS words for compound sentences.
Blog Heading: # : ___________________________________
Accomplishments for the Week
What did you accomplish this week? Did you work on a blog post? Work on the project itself? Research? Outline? Plan? Be specific. (50-75 Words)
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Obstacles What problems or obstacles did you run into this week? Do you have any reservations? Are you procrastinating?
How will you change this? (50-75 Words)
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Goals
What was your goal/s this week? Did you meet your goals? Be honest. How will you fix this? (30-50 Words)
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Accomplishments This Week What do you plan on accomplishing this week beyond your blog? Where do you think you need to make
improvements? (40-60 Words)
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Thank you for reading my blog!
CreatingYourBlogRequirements:*Youwillberequiredtomakeaminimumof8blogpostsviagoogleDocsoverthecourseofthenext8weeks.*Your firstblogpostwillbe introducingyouridea, invention,design,creation,passionormodificationtoyourpeers.*The rest of the blog posts will be updates on your process and what you haveaccomplishedatthatpoint.*InthetopLefthandcorner,titleeachblog(BlogPost1,BlogPost2,etc.)
InstructionsforYourFIRSTBLOG
InstructionsfortheALLtheOTHERBLOGPOSTS
BlogTitle:Creating/Designing/Modifying/Inventing/Learning____________________________________
Date:
INTRODUCTION-ABOUTMETellusalittleaboutyou
MYPASSION
Whatisyourpassionandwhydidyouchoosetodothis?
MATERIALS
Whatmaterialsyouwillneedforyourproject…
THISWEEK
ThisweekIplanonaccomplishing….Mygoalisto…….
Thanksforreadingmyblog!YourName
BlogTitle:
Date:
ACCOMPLISHMENTSFORTHEWEEKTellthereaderwhatyouaccomplishedthisweekwithyourproject.
OBSTACLES
Whatobstaclesdidyourunintothisweek?GOALS
Didyoumeetyourgoalthisweek?How?
THISUPCOMINGWEEK
ThisweekIplanonaccomplishing….Mygoalisto…….
Thanksforreadingmyblog!YourName
Add a picture
of your
project thus
far!
Add a picture of your project thus far!
Name ________________________________________ Date: Final Piece for Operation Genius
Final Presentation Piece for Operation Genius
As we get closer to the end of this project, it is time to begin thinking about the final presentation piece. What are you going to show everyone at the end of this? REQUIREMENTS:
1. For the FINAL PRESENTATION, you will be responsible in giving a 5-6 minute finalpresentationonyourproject.
2. Youwillhavetoshowusyour final“product”-yourcreation,book, invention,video,website,musicaltalent,blog,food(bringinenoughfortheclass),pictures,collage,etc.
3. YouwillwriteaREFLECTIONLETTERtomeaboutyourexperience(seefollowingsheets).
Presentation (55 Points): 1. YourPRESENTATIONcanbeanyofthefollowingmultimediaplatforms:Prezi GoogleSlides. PowerPoint Glogster
VideoPresentation(filmedathome) Tri-Board
YOUR PRESENTATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
o Includeatitlepage,yournameandthenameofyourproject
o Remindtheaudienceofyourprojectidea.
o Explainyourprocess(verydetailed)ofhowyougottoyourfinal“product”.Youcandiscuss
whatyouaccomplishedeachweekoraVERYdetailedexplanationofthestepsyoutooktogettotheend. YOUMUSTPROVIDEPICTURES/VIDEOStoshowustheprogressoverthelast8-10weeks.
o Whatwerethesuccessesofyourproject?Areyouproudofyourself?
o Werethereanyhurdles/obstaclesyouhadtoovercome?Explaintheseindetail.
o Wasthereapointwhereyouhadtostopandreadjusttheproject?Wastheprojecttoobig?Ifnot,whatadjustmentsdidyouhavetomake?
o Whatwasthemostimportantthingthatyoulearnedthroughoutthisproject?
All of the bullets below need to be included in your
presentation
OTHER ITEMS/REQUIREMENTS: 1. Makesurethatyouproofreadyourpresentation.Errorsarenotattractiveinapresentation,
especiallyifyouareinfrontofhigh-endpeople.
2. Youwillnotbeabletouseindexcards,andyouwillhavetoknowyourmaterialsandpresentationverywell.YOUWILLHAVETOPRACTICETOLOOKPROFESSIONAL!
3. Onthedayofyourpresentation,youareexpectedtodresstheprofessionalpart.BOYS-Dress pants/khakis, dress shirt/collared shirt, bow tie/tie, nice shoes GIRLS-Dress/skirt, appropriate top, flats or nice shoes
4. MakesureyouusetheRUBRICprovidedtohelpyouinyourfinalpiece.
Reflection Letter (45 Points) The second part of your project is your reflection letter to me that will be due on the same day of your presentation. The reflection letter should look like/include the following:
May 5, 2016 * * Dear Mrs. Smith, *
Over the last 10 weeks, I created __________________________. I wanted to create this because….(50 words minimum) * Discuss the hurdles and obstacles you faced. Did you have to change, adjust, and alter anything? If you feel that you didn’t face any problems, what was it about your project that helped not face any obstacles? (60 words minimum) * What were the successes of your project? Did you feel like you accomplished what you set out to do? Why or why not? (60 words minimum) * What was the most important aspect you learned throughout the project? What did you learn about yourself (be honest)? Did you like doing a project like this? Why or why not? (80 words minimum) * Thank you for reading my reflection…and anything else you want to add. * * Sincerely,
John Mathers
Your name typed
* Lines between
Do not indent
Make sure you pay attention to the
number of words
12pt font , typed
Please justify the whole piece
Do not forget to sign your name
Name ______________________________________________ Final Presentation-Operation Genius
Presentation Description 10-8 7-5 4-2 1 0
Exceptional Very Good Improving Needs Improvement Needs Work
Multimedia Presentation
Does the student
create an engaging
presentation?
The multimedia
presentation is extremely
engaging, colorful, and
fulfills the 7 bullets with
pictures and specifics.
The multimedia
presentation is very well
done. The presentation
is engaging, colorful, and
fulfills the 7 or most
bullets with pictures and
specifics.
The multimedia
presentation is amateur.
The presentation has
color and some pictures,
but there is some effort
lacking.
A presentation is provided
but lacks many of the
requirements. There is no
structure or flow to the
presentation. It lacks
pictures and engagement.
No presentation is present.
Student did not meet the
requirements expected.
Criteria of Presentation
Description 5 4 3 2 1-0
Introduction
Does the student
introduce their name
and the purpose of
their idea?
Introduction is evident with
his/her name and the
purpose of their project.
Introduction is evident
with his/her name and
the purpose of their
project, but might be
slightly vague.
Introduction lacks pieces
that were part of the
requirements. An
agenda is provided, but
not well organized.
A clear topic is not
provided. The student
does not do a good job of
introducing him/herself.
Student does not introduce
him/herself at all. Topic is
not provided. The audience
does not know what to
expect with this
presentation.
Specifics of Presentation
Does the student give
a thorough
explanation of his/her
process, successes and
other piece of
information?
The presentation includes a
very detailed explanation of
his/her process. Includes
pictures/videos to help the
audience understand
his/her journey.
The presentation includes
a detailed explanation of
his/her process. Includes
SOME pictures/videos to
help the audience
understand his/her
journey.
The presentation
includes an explanation
of his/her process.
Includes minimal
pictures/videos to help
the audience understand
his/her journey.
The presentation is very
vague and lacks specifics
about his/her process.
Includes minimal or no
pictures or videos.
The presentation has no
detail, and it is just surface.
The presentation is very
limited.
No pictures/videos are
included.
Criteria Description 10-8 7-5 4-2 1 0
Effort & Integrity in
Presentation
Does the student show
effort and integrity in
presentation?
The student’s presentation
is vibrant, colorful and has
been proofread for errors.
The student’s presentation
has some color, and it has
minimal errors.
The student’s
presentation has some
color, and it has some
errors.
The student’s presentation
lacks color and effort.
Many errors are evident.
The student’s presentation is
amateur and lacks effort and
color. Many errors are
evident.
Description 5 4 3 2 1-0
Presenter
How well is the
student dressed?
The student took pride in
his/her dress. They dressed
professionally.
Overall, the student
dressed professionally.
It is obvious that the
student took some time
in his/her dress.
The student did not take
time to dress
professionally. He/she still
The student did not dress
professionally at all. They did
not meet the requirements.
Dress
looks like a “student”.
Poise & Demeanor
How well prepared
does the presenter
appear to be?
The presenter appears to
be very-well prepared and
very comfortable
presenting.
The presenter appears
well-prepared and
comfortable presenting
The presenter is
prepared seems
comfortable presenting.
The presenter is somewhat
prepared and a bit
uncomfortable presenting.
The presenter appears to be
not prepared and is not
comfortable presenting.
Clarity of Speech
How clearly does the
presenter present
his/her ideas?
The presenter presents
his/her ideas very clearly
with very little verbal
fillers (‘um”)
The presenter presents
his/her ideas very clearly
with few verbal fillers
(‘um”).
The presenter presents
his/her ideas clearly but
uses verbal fillers (‘um”)
The presenter presents
his/her ideas somewhat
clearly, and relies on
verbal fillers.
The presenter does not
present him/herself clearly.
Use of tone, pacing
and volume
How appropriate is the
presenter’s tone, pace
and volume in
presenting the topic?
The presenter’s tone of
voice, pace and volume fit
their presentation perfectly.
The audience is very
engaged in the
presenter.
The presenter’s tone of
voice, pace and volume
fit the topic.
The presenter’s tone of
voice, pace and volume is
low and fast, and s/he did
not practice enough.
It is clear that the presenter
did not spend time
practicing. His/her tone and
pacing is off.
Engagement of
Audience
How well does the
presenter engage the
audience?
The audience is extremely
engaged because of the
presenter’s tone, as well as
his/her multimedia
presentation.
The audience is engaged
because of the
presenter’s tone, as well
as his/her multimedia
presentation.
The audience is engaged
because of the
presenter’s tone, as well
as his/her multimedia
presentation.
The audience is slightly
engaged because of the
presenter’s tone, as well
as his/her multimedia
presentation.
The audience is not engaged
because of the presenter’s
tone, as well as his/her
multimedia presentation.
Reflection Piece Description 30-25 24 - 15 14 - 6 5 - 3 2 - 0
Content
Did the student fulfill all
the content of the
letter?
The student included all
four pieces of the letter and
met the word minimum.
Piece is written
exceptionally.
The student included all
four pieces of the letter
and met the word
minimum. Piece is well
written.
The student included
some of the
requirements. Some
pieces may not meet
word minimum.
The student met the
requirements minimally.
Some pieces may not meet
word minimum.
Poorly written.
The student did not meet any
of the requirements, or the
reflection piece was not
included.
Description 10-8 7-5 4-2 1 0
Formatting
Did the student format
the letter correctly,
according to the
requirements?
The student formatted the
letter perfectly and signed
their name.
Small errors in the
formatting of the letter.
Some errors the
formatting of the letter.
The student may have
forgotten to sign their
name.
Many errors in formatting
of the letter.
Student did not pay attention
to the formatting of the
letter.
Description 5 4 3 2 1-0
Grammar/Spelling Punctuation
Did the student
proofread their work?
The student did a thorough
proofreading of his/her
work.
It is clear that the
student proofread their
work. Minimal errors.
There are some errors in
grammar/spelling and
punctuation.
There are many errors in
grammar/spelling and
punctuation.
It is clear that the student did
not proofread their letter.
TOTAL on PROJECT: _____________________________________________________
