FIRST+APES+PROJECT+OF+THE+YEAR

TOPIC: CREATE A BUCKET LIST (LIST OF THINGS YOU WANT TO SEE BEFORE DECEMBER 21,2012) Limit your list to one of the following parameters: 1. humanity in general 2. your family and home 3. all living things 4. the condition of the oceans 5. the McCougar Pond 6. traffic in central Texas 7. animals of the area 8. animals of the U.S. 9. animals of the Earth 10. Connally High School 11. rivers, lakes, and streams of the area within 100 miles of your home 12. Connally's "outback" area 13. Connally's halls, cafeteria, vending machines, lockers, schedule 14. your neighborhood 15. new technological devices 16. other teacher-approved topic

Once you choose a topic and have created your list of what you want to see before 12/21/12, answer the following questions about your expectations.

1. Do you personally believe the world, as we know it, will come to an end on 12/21/12? 2. Is the topic you chose the most important one on the list? If not, why not? 3. Is it useful to think about things you would like to see happen? If not, why not? 4. Is it wise to work toward accomplishing the items on your list in spite of some people's "Why Bother" attitude? 5. How do you feel about a "Let's see what we can accomplish in the time we have left" attitude toward the time remaining? 6. Which of your expectations or wants realistic and which are simply wishful thinking? 7. Which would you be willing to work toward? Place a number by each item on your Wants List with the smallest number being the most important item to accomplish in the time frame? 8. How do you think working toward the most important items on your list would affect your life in the days leading up to December 21,2012? 9. Which choice would you prefer, knowing how much time you have left or being totally ignorant of your final day on Earth? 10. What makes time go by faster, being absorbed in something important to you or saving your energy for something you plan to do later?

SAMPLE TOPIC: Room f2003, Connally High School What I Want It to Contain and Become by 12/21/12 1. a super sound system with connections for microphones, video, radio, other 2. huge inventory of music easily downloaded for listening or use in presentations 3. huge inventory of videos on every possible environmental subject 4. all work areas, storage areas, and desks clean and comfortable, well-organized, ready for use 5. 150 gallon salt water aquarium with wide variety of non- endangered species 6. 2 or more smaller fresh water aquariums for observation and experimentation 7. lab areas where on-going research is taking place 8. at least one bird cage where a pair of birds produce chicks. 9. students enter, check in, get their assignment, begin without fanfare, and produce present, prepare 10. students and teacher show respect for one another and others by working cooperatively and by cleaning up before leaving the classroom 11. teacher and students look forward to returning to f2003 at the next appointed class period

HOW THE TOPIC MAY BE PRESENTED 1. Videotape the items and settings listed in the buckelt list 2. Write a song, poem, rap illustrating the items and settings on the list 3. Build a scale model of the classroom including the items listed 4. Traditional Method: present a poster with the items on the list described as they are 5. Other

Be prepared to get your feelings hurt or become annoyed at what you hear from them. REMEMBER - THEY ARE WRONG! YOU ARE RIGHT! GET OVER IT!
 * FINALLY- solicit suggestions, opinions, reactions to your bucket list from classmates.

Grade will be determined as follows:

10% Approved topic 10% Written Bucket List (minimum of 10 items) 30% Answers to the 10 Questions (3 points each) 40% Presentation - 10% Collaboration