2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
Term Projects 2015
What Are Term Projects?
Term Project week is a chance for students in all grades to work together on multidisciplinary
projects. The goals of the projects are to challenge students to be cooperative learners and
function as a team to work towards an end product.
Every student must participate in and finish a Term Project as part of their promotion criteria.
Students will receive a grade (Fail, Pass, or Superior) for their Term Project. An alternate Term
Project will be assigned to students who will be absent during the Term Project session.
Students are expected to follow all school disciplinary rules. Any disruptive behavior or other
misconduct during Term Projects will be considered a disciplinary violation. The school
reserves the right to exclude any student who demonstrates disruptive behavior or serious
misconduct from Term Projects.
DEADLINE: Students must return the attached form indicating their 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choices to
the Operations Black Box no later than Friday, March 27, 2015. Failure to turn in Term Project
preferences by the deadline will result in placement by the school administration. An email
will be sent home on Monday, April 6th, 2015 stating your student’s Term Project assignment.
This email confirmation will also provide any applicable permission forms required for your
child to participate in the assigned Term Project. These permission forms are due April 30,
2015. **Please note, your child may be moved to a new Term Project if these forms are not returned on time. **
PAYMENTS: DO NOT send a payment with your project choices! By selecting your top three
choices, you are agreeing to any of these required fees. The project fee will automatically
be charged to your SMART account and payment is due no later than April 30, 2015. If you
have not paid your SMART account in full by this date, your student will be moved to a free
Term Project. Please contact Diana Collins ([email protected]) or Julie
Kearney ([email protected]) with any payment questions.
HOW TO SIGN UP: Identify your top three choices in order of importance to you. After
discussing your choices with your parents or guardians, they MUST sign the form before you
turn it into the Operations Drop Box. Again, do not send a payment with your project
choices! ***Students going on the 7th Grade Catalina Field Trip or Italy Trip DO NOT need to
fill out the attached forms.***
TERM PROJECT TIMEFRAME: Thursday, May 21st - Thursday, May 28th, 2015. All grades have
the same schedule during Term Projects, 8:25am -1:20pm, with school dismissal at 1:20pm.
Students will report directly to their Term Project room. LATEBIRD: Limited Late Bird will be available from 1:20pm until 3:30pm to students who need
to stay at school after their Term Project ends. All students MUST be picked up by 3:30pm on
these days. Standard drop-in fees will apply to students not pre-paid for Late Bird.
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
AN ADVENTURE THROUGH THE LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE
Cost: $30
Open to Grade Levels: 5th-8th
Teacher: Ms. Guiselle Chinchilla
Project Description: Over the course of five days, students will have the opportunity to enjoy
several traditional Latin American activities including: dancing merengue and salsa,
constructing items (Mexican piñatas and decorations made with seeds and shells). Students will
watch traditional legends; play traditional games, and learn to make common culinary dishes
from Central and South America. On the final day of Term Projects, we plan to display our final
products for peer view and enjoyment.
BASIC AND ADVANCED EXCEL & POWERPOINT
Cost: Free
Open to Grade Levels: 8th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Paul McClernon
Project Description: Basic and Advanced techniques using Excel: Excel is one of the most widely
used programs for number crunching, graphing and even some more advanced numerical
methods. Scientists and engineers use it every day, but most kids at BASIS do not know how. This
Term Project is a mixture of theory and practical application that will make every student’s life
much easier; especially for the sciences. And if you’re so inclined, it’s a lot of fun! Students must
provide their own computer with Excel already installed.
Basic and Advanced techniques using PowerPoint: Every student and professional needs to
know how to generate a PowerPoint presentation. We will learn the fundamentals of making a
slide presentation and then add in enhancements like animation. The final product will be a
PowerPoint presentation of what you created with Excel!! Students must provide their own
computer with PowerPoint already installed.
BASIS UNITED
Cost: Free
Open to Grade Levels: 9th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Tim Hirsch
Project Description: This Term Project is a combination of playing soccer and studying the global,
social and economic impact of the world’s favorite game. Each day, through lecture and class
discussion, we will cover the history of soccer in different countries, and we will analyze the
various ways soccer has affected the global economy. In addition to classroom discussion and
watching documentaries (described below), we will also play the world’s favorite game in a
world cup style soccer tournament. Teams will alternate between playing in an indoor soccer
tournament in the school’s gym while others will watch a movie/documentary.
Each day before/after our games and practices, we will watch award winning documentaries
such as the acclaimed Two Escobars and Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary story of the New
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
York Cosmos, soccer-related movies, famous matches from both the Men’s and Women’s World
Cup Soccer, the English Premier League, and La Liga, and clips of the 100 best goals of all time.
New movies shown this year include Bend it Like Beckham, Pelada, Kicking It (documentary of
a touching story about homeless street soccer), and the documentary, History of Soccer.
BRIDGE
Cost: Free
Open to Grade Levels: 8th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Robert Witz
Project Description: “Bridge is the most entertaining and intelligent card game the wit of man
has so far devised.” -- W. Somerset Maugham. What do Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have in
common? Well, they’re the two richest men in America, but they also share a passion for the
game of bridge. Bridge is a fun, challenging, and social card game that you can play for the
rest of your life. It requires and enhances abilities in communication, logic, memory, psychology,
math, and teamwork. During the Term Project, students will learn the rules of the game and
become better players while playing every day. Students who already know the basics can
learn more advanced techniques; like chess, bridge produces innumerable strategies but very
few masters!
CALLING ALL GODS AND GODDESSES
Cost: $5
Open to Grade Levels: 5th-8th
Teachers: Ms. Ally Kornelis
Project Description: Students will explore the world of mythology and create their own tale using
the characters from ancient Greek and Roman myths. Students will learn about the genre of
mythology by reading stories, playing games, and watching movies, like Percy Jackson,
Hercules, and Maleficent, that demonstrate the development of mythology over time. Then,
students will create their own story and decorate a poster, with a partner or individually, that
shows what they have learned! Materials for the poster need to be brought from home and can
be recycled items. Get ready to channel your inner god or goddess and show off your creativity!
DANCE AND FILM
Cost: $20
Open to Grade Levels: 8th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Adam Atkinson & Ms. Nancy Carbone
Project Description: Students will learn how to dance basic dance steps: Salsa, Waltz, Swing, and
Foxtrot. We will utilize the movies “Take the Lead” and “Mad Hot Ballroom” (PG-13 appropriate)
for examples of dancing and to learn some of the challenges for dancing students. Students
need not have any dance experience to try this class. Along with the demonstration, dance
students will give a short introduction to their dance’s history.
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL ENCOUNTERS
Cost: Free
Open to Grade Levels: 5th-7th
Teachers: Ms. Lydia Reznik
Project Description: Students will research and select an endangered species and make
desktop table-sized environmental models. Students are encouraged to use recycled materials,
so there will be little overall cost for the project. Art supplies and materials will need to be brought
from home. Students will create an inside “bat cave” and Monarch butterfly “way station”
habitat as a group. Films/movies will be played throughout the project. Lights out - environments
will be spot lighted! Students may work in groups of two to create their individual environmental
encounter.
FASHION ART PROJECT
Cost: $20
Open to Grade Levels: 5th-12th
Teachers: Ms. Krisanne Markel
Project Description: Students who want to express themselves with fashion can join the Fashion
Art Project. Never wear the same thing twice! The fashion group will learn how to revamp styles
and build popular costumes from the past. Designers must be willing to bring in up to five or six
items of “ready to donate” clothing from home. Many fashion designs will require that students
try their hand at basic sewing, stitching, and hot gluing skills. On the final day, students will
parade down the catwalk displaying their favorite designs.
GENRE FILM ANALYSIS
Cost: $10
Open to Grade Levels: 8th-12th
Teachers: Dr. Matthew Helmers
Project Description: Genre Film Studies: “Oh the Horror! The Humanity! Won’t somebody please
think of the Children?!” Ever think that children are strange, spooky, wild or generally
otherworldly? Well, you’re not alone. Starting in the early 90’s – Hollywood began to produce a
huge amount of movies with children at their center. In this Term Project, we’ll analyze a
selection of these movies historically and thematically, attempting to answer the question “what
happened to the representation of Childhood?”
Together, we’ll learn basic film analysis and then begin analyzing terrifying and scary movies
with children at their center. From the child who can see dead people in The 6th Sense and
Poltergeist, to the ghostly children of The Innocents and The Others, and finally to the
contemporary world of The Hunger Games we’ll see how the concept of ‘childhood’ changes
drastically in just 50 years. We’ll also explore the lighter-side of this concept with clips from The
Simpsons, The Twilight Zone and several contemporary family TV shows. At the end of the project,
we’ll revisit these movies and create ‘Honest Posters’ for the movies which explain the movies
we’ve analyzed in humorous annotated fashions to be displayed around school.
Caveat: This course involves movies that are rated PG-13 and involve suspense and horror. We’ll
be analyzing the conventions of the horror genre – but the movies are still a little scary!
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
GOING BEYOND PANDA
Cost: $20
Open to Grade Levels: 5th-12th
Teachers: Ms. Liz Kuo & Ms. Elisa Lau
Project Description: Welcome to the Wonderland of China! Students will be immerged into all
aspects of Chinese culture. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to make Boba milk
tea, Shaved Ice, a wonderful flavored ice desert and dumplings while enjoying Chinese
traditional music. Students also have opportunity to make traditional lanterns. Students will
creatively make Shadow Puppets and film it. Have you wondered about Chinese characters?
We will show you Chinese calligraphy. If that is not enough, we will play Chinese chess. We will
kick shuttlecock for fun. Students can also enjoy watching Chinese movie “Gong Fu” or ‘Seven
Wonders of China.” If that’s still not good enough, we will do a chopsticks dance to indulge
ourselves in Chinese culture!
HOLLYWOOD GOES TO WAR
Cost: Free
Open to Grade Levels: 8th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Linsy Atteberry
Project Description: Students will watch a variety of movies and television series covering
America’s involvement in armed conflict, notably in World War II and Vietnam. Films will include
such movies as Saving Private Ryan, The Green Berets, We Were Soldiers, Band of Brothers, and
the television series Tour of Duty. The historical aspect of the conflicts will be covered in short
lecture format, and group discussions will be held at the end of each film. Emphasis will be made
on the historical accuracy of the film and the perspective of a military veteran. At the end of
the project, students will make a determination of how well Hollywood does in terms of realism.
This project will require a signed parental permission slip to watch the movies.
ILLUMINATE IT!
Cost: $50
Open to Grade Levels: 6th-12th
Teachers: Ms. Dru Hardy
Project Description: In this 3D project, we will create sculptures using clear packing tape and
LED string lights. Students must bring an object to the classroom that will serve as the basis for
their sculpture. The object should have volume and be relatively large. In the past students have
used large stuffed animals, large dolls, large toy cars, etc. After we are finished with the form,
we will add lights, creating a soft-lit sculpture (similar to a night light) for home.
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
INTERGENERATIONAL JOURNEY
Cost: $35
Open to Grade Levels: 9th-12th
Teachers: Ms. Geraldine Herminia Slebos
Project Description: This project is a “community service experience” in which students will
interact with elders that are part of an independent living senior’s center. Developing stronger
connections with older adults and their community can have tremendous benefits for both
students and seniors.
Students will begin this project by learning about the needs of others as they age through movies
and discussion. Students will then spend a two days at BASIS preparing for their visit to the
retirement center by collectively brainstorming activities that they would like to do with the
seniors. A few ideas may be singing, dancing, reading, board games and creating gifts! The
following days will be spent at the senior center applying what they have learned and prepared
for their visits. Students will then share a slideshow and stories of their time and experience with
peers on their final day back at school.
This year visit will be to GENERATIONs Agritopia facilities to enjoy their Vibrant Living program and
share with them an unforgettable time. To learn more about the place, look for Generations
Agritopia at Gilbert location.
LE TOUR DE FRANCE
Cost: $30
Open to Grade Level: 5th-12th
Teachers: Ms. Florence Solves
Project Description: Come to visit France and her various regions and follow world renowned
“Tour de France”. The famous bicycle race which takes viewers and competitors alike through
the beautiful regions of France while engaged in a race for the gold (shirt that is). Over these
five days, we will discover gastronomy, architecture, art, dance, and movies following this
fabulous event and their competitors through the various roads and regions of France. Each
team will have to compete, for each day of the tour, in some form of challenge; winner is
awarded a prize. Along the way we will learn how to cook and learn a lot of cultural aspects of
each region along with interesting facts about this historical race. The last day of the race we
will present our art, culinary, and craft productions to the public, and see who of you will get to
stand on the podium next to the winner of the "Tour de France" and bring home the gold. Bonne
chance a tous!
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
MONEYBALL - SPORTS ANALYTICS
Cost: $15
Open to Grade Levels: 7th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Isaiah Smart
Project Description: This project is designed to give students the opportunity to combine their
love of math, sports, games, management, logic and statistics to analyze the current trends in
sports. Students will examine different aspects of sports from football, basketball, baseball or any
activity that applies probability and statistics to improve winning. Movies such as Moneyball and
Draft Days (PG-13) will be used to illustrate these techniques in use. The goal of this project is to
introduce students to tools and techniques that professionals have recently begun using to
improve the probability of winning. Students will combine research and statistical skills to
develop a presentation about a sport and improving decisions which involve high opportunity
costs. (Snacks and drinks will be provided for 4 days)
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS: WINNING ELECTED OFFICE
Cost: $15
Open to Grade Levels: 5th-12th
Teachers: Dr. Matthew Jette
Project Description: Ever wonder how political campaigns are managed, how strategies are
created and pursued, or simply what political teams do behind closed doors? We often focus
our skeptical gaze on the candidate. The candidate though is often times merely a mouthpiece,
representing a much larger strategy created from hired political consultants and political
donors. From popular television shows like West Wing to movies like The War Room several and
often competing depictions emerge. One important feature remains clear, however.
Campaigns are dynamic, rarely static and those who lead campaigns are constantly acting
and reacting to changing political stimuli, forced to make decisions quickly and with a great
level of uncertainty.
In this Term Project students will develop and run their own political campaigns, selecting a
candidate and designating campaign roles (including campaign manager, finance director,
communications director, political director, volunteer coordinator to name a few). Representing
the apex of the project is a school wide debate among the candidates and a school wide vote.
Additionally, a question and answer period of each team to share with the school lessons
learned and suggestions to improve the electoral process. Students will also be exposed to
movies and documentaries (some PG-13) that highlight the political process (i.e., The War Room
and Mr. Smith Does Not Go to Washington). Each student will not only have a great time, but
become more knowledgeable of the electoral process.
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
RISK-THE STRATEGY OF WAR
Cost: $30
Open to Grade Levels: 8th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Joseph Zuggi
Project Description: Students will learn firsthand about military strategy and tactics, and the
difference between them. Moreover, they will gain a practical understanding of both through
the taking of several terrain hikes, the study of battles, map reading, land navigation, the
watching of the documentaries, and war gaming. On the final day, students will solve a tactical
problem and present their solutions to the class.
SAT PREP
Cost: $5
Open to Grade Levels: Tailored to students who have
finished AP Calculus BC and are taking the SAT Level 2
Mathematics Subject Test on Saturday, June 6th.
Teachers: Mr. TJ Peacher & Ms. Marizza Bailey
Project Description: Are you planning on taking the SAT Level 2 Mathematics Subject Test on
Saturday, June 6th? Unlike other subject tests, the material covered on the SAT Level 2
Mathematics Subject Test is vastly different from the material covered on any AP math exam.
With that in mind, would you like to review for the SAT Level 2 Mathematics Subject Test with
other upper school students, a BASIS math teacher, and an occasional fresh baked cookie?
With fully charged calculators in hand, we will work through some prep books together.
THE SCIENCE OF MUSIC
Cost: $50
Open to Grade Levels: 5th-10th
Teachers: Dr. Mitra Sahu & Mr. Surjit Nanda
Project Description: Student will learn how art and music relate to science and different cultures
through four days of hands on workshops at the Musical Instrument Museum. This is not just a tour
but an opportunity for exploration. The workshops include: the science behind sound; "a trip
around the world" where students are introduced to the diversity of the world's musical traditions;
a hands on opportunity to interact with the instruments; and a scavenger hunt. Students will then
present what they have learned on the final day.
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
THE SECRET OF KELLS
Cost: $26
Open to Grade Levels: 7th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Mahrus Dewes
Project Description: Illuminate your mind! Learn calligraphy and explore Celtic designs and
motifs from Ireland’s famous Book of Kells. We will watch the animated film, The Secret of Kells,
and the BBC documentary, How the Celts Saved Britain, and look at pages from manuscripts
over 1200 years old, to get into the spirit of ancient Ireland. Then, the real fun: dipping pens in
ink and writing fancy scripts, “uncial” in particular, then drawing patterns like Celtic knots and
elaborate capital letters. The end result will be your very own illuminated manuscript of your
name or other favorite quote. You can also take the pens and paper home to explore more on
your own.
THE SONORAN DESERT
Cost: $50
Open to Grade Level: 5th grade only
Teachers: Mr. William Weaver
Project Description: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About The Sonoran Desert. Have you
ever wondered what the name of that yellow flower outside school is called? Or maybe that
weird looking pig like animal is called and what exactly is it doing walking by my window? How
about what are those mountains made of and how old are they? These are some of the
questions that will get answered during this course.
We live in a desert. Many people think this area is made up of boring brown stuff that whizzes by
the car window. It’s actually a fantastically diverse plant and animal universe that sits atop some
rather interesting rocks. If you want to learn the names of all the plants you can see and all the
animals that you can see around our school - then this course is for you.
At the beginning of each day we will take a short hike to explore the surrounding area. Then we
will come back to class and using drawing, painting or photo materials to document our findings.
We will sample foods and drinks made from dessert plants. We will also create a cactus and
succulent garden in a pot that you decorate. In addition to all of this, we go on a field trip to
the Desert Botanical Garden to see the extraordinary collection of desert plants and view many
desert animals.
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
THE TECHSHOP EXPERIENCE
Cost: $160
Open to Grade Levels: 6th-12th
Teachers: Mr. Asher Molk (6th-8th
graders) & Mr. Brandon Wicklow (9th-12th graders)
Project Description: Build your dreams here! Join us for a new and exciting experience! In this
project, student will travel to the TechShop in Chandler. The TechShop is a playground for
creativity. Their community is made up of hobbyists, artists, entrepreneurs, tinkerers, crafters,
scientists and students of all ages and skill levels. TechShop provides access to over $1 million
worth of professional equipment and software. In addition, the TechShop offers
comprehensive instruction and expert staff to ensure a safe, meaningful and rewarding
experience. At the TechShop students can explore the world of making virtually anything in a
collective and creative environment. During this Term Project, students will work on a
collaborative project that will be displayed in BASIS Scottsdale.
THREE DIMENSIONAL BOOK REPORT
Cost: Free
Open to Grade Level: 10th-12th
Teachers: Mr. John Nishan
Project Description: With AP and Final Exams now over, it is time to deactivate ones’ sympathetic
nervous system and turn on the parasympathetic system. Turn off the flow of cortisol and turn on
your norepinephrine. Deactivate your overloaded hippocampus, crammed with facts stored in
short term memory, and activate your occipital cortex to let your imagination run wild. Join us
for five days of reading, relaxing and gustatory pleasure. Allow action potentials to carry sensory
impulses from the receptor cells in your olfactory epithelium and gustatory cells to the olfactory
cortex and deep to the temporal lobe behind the lateral sulcus. Bring a good book, your favorite
blankie, snuggie or bean bag chair and de-stress. Using your fine motor skills from the frontal lobe
and coordination from the cerebellum, create one three dimensional book report to share with
others.
THROUGH THE WORMHOLE
Cost: Free
Open to Grade Level: 6th-10th
Teachers: Ms. Jennifer Vogelzang
Project Description: Students will watch episodes of the TV series through the worm hole which
deals with various topics of the mysteries of existence, such as what triggered life on Earth.
Students will create a poster advertising one of the episodes.
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
2015 Term Project Sign-Up
Students must return this form to the Operations Drop Box on or before the
deadline of Friday, March 27, 2015.
Students who do not turn in a form or turn it in late will be placed into a project with openings available. A
separate form must be completed for each child. If any student is not going to be at BASIS during term projects,
they MUST notify Mr. Garvey ASAP!
Exceptions will not be made for students who are absent on the day materials are distributed or collected. It is
the student’s responsibility to follow-up with the school office.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Please identify your top three choices for term projects in order of importance to you.
2. Discuss your decision with your parents or guardian. Your parent MUST sign the form.
3. Return the form on or before Friday, March 27, 2015 to the Operations Drop Box.
4. DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT FOR ANY PROJECT AT THIS TIME!
Term Project Estimated
Openings Cost
Open to Grade
Levels
1 An Adventure through the Latin American Culture 25 $30 5th-8th
2 Basic and Advanced Excel & PowerPoint 30 Free 8th-12th
3 BASIS United 25 Free 9th-12th
4 Bridge 25 Free 8th-12th
5 Calling All Gods and Goddesses! 30 $5 5th-8th
6 Dance and Film 45 $20 8th-12th
7 Environmental Encounters 25 Free 5th-7th
8 Fashion Art Project 25 $20 5th-12th
9 Genre Film Analysis 25 $10 8th-12th
10 Going Beyond Panda 25 $20 5th-12th
11 Hollywood Goes To War 45 Free 8th-12th
12 Illuminate It! 25 $50 6th-12th
13 Intergenerational Journey 25 $35 9th-12th
14 Le Tour de France 25 $30 5th-12th
15 Moneyball –Sports Analytics 25 $15 7th-12th
16 Political Campaigns: Winning Elected Office 35 $15 5th-12th
17 Risk – The Strategy of War 25 $30 8th-12th
18 SAT Prep 50 $5 *see packet*
19 The Science of Music 45 $50 5th-10th
20 The Secret of Kells 25 $26 7th-12th
21 The Sonoran Desert 22 $50 5th grade only
22 The TECHshop Experience 20 $160 6th-8th
23 The TECHshop Experience 20 $160 9th-12th
24 Three Dimensional Book Report 25 Free 10th-12th
25 Through the Wormhole 30 Free 6th-10th
2014/2015 TERM PROJECTS
TERM PROJECT SIGN-UP FORM
Form due by Friday, March 27, 2015
Student Name (PRINT): _______________________________________________________________________
Grade/Group: ____________ (Please make sure your choices below are being offered for your grade level)
______________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Print)
______________________________________________________________ _______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
A Term Project placement email will be sent to you on or before April 6th, 2015. The placement
will be sent to the email address listed on you SMART for Charter account.
1st Choice
2nd Choice
3rd Choice
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