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Honors Class Improvement Project

Did You Know – Many ideas come from people who work close to the problem. Quality Circle
is a system for discovering challenges and improving processes and product that originated in the
1960’s by Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Quality Circle emphasizes the “advantages of good group
process in getting quality improvement suggestions from employees” (Tashu, n.d., p.1). Total
Quality Management and Six Sigma are more modern systems that are rooted in Quality Circle
(MindTools, n.d.).

Scenario – You have been a student at Panther Creek High School long enough to know your
way around. You have become accustomed to the layout of the facility and the location of
classrooms, tools and materials. Still, you have other experiences to draw from and realize that
some of the processes, machines, tools, and materials are less than optimum in location, layout or
function. You are to recognize several of these areas for improvement and design/create a
solution.

Challenge – Your challenge is to discover a needed improvement for a classroom then research
and develop the improvement into a working device.

Limitations
1. The improvement is to be limited for implementation in CTE classroom.
2. The improvement (in theory) is to be made with materials and machines found in
Rooms 1512 and 1514. If the project requires special materials then this is to be
worked out by the student with the particular teacher.
3. Improvement projects are to be approved via the submission of a Proposal prior to
building/making. (See the posted Due Date.)
4. Projects are to be small enough to fit inside a student locker within the 1514
classroom.

Procedures
1. Brainstorm with students within the TE12 class.
2. Determine several possible problems.
3. Choose a potential problem and discuss it with Mr. Curren or Dr. Busby.
4. Develop your proposal per the outline.
5. Receive approval from a designated faculty by submitting your proposal and
having it reviewed.
6. Build/your device and implement intmake/create of use.
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Class Improvement Project Grading Rubric

Proposal

The problem is identified 0 25

Findings from research (At least 3 intext citations) 0 25

Plan of action 0 25

References 0 25

Score: _________
_____________________________________________________________________
Device/Process is made

Function 0 30

Form 0 30

Score: _________

References
MindTools. (n.d.). Demming’s 14-Point Philosophy: A Recipe for Total Quality. Retrieved from
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_75.htm
Tashu, M. (n.d.) What are the objectives and characteristics of Quality Circles? – Explained!
Retrieved from http://www.shareyouressays.com/knowledge/what-are-the-objectives-
and-characteristics-of-quality-circles-explained/116350
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Improvement Project Proposal

Identify the Problem

We want to create something that can be used effectively in the classroom, making the
classroom the best it can be. Using the experiences we had around the classroom, we have to
brainstorm, research, and draw ideas that would potentially help the teacher or the students. Our
goal as a class is for all of us to make something that would overall improve the class for the next
year’s class. In our classroom, before every project, the whole class brainstorm many ideas as a
class, using many sticky notes. Instead of using sticky notes, we could make a white board
squares that would stick onto a board, so we don’t have to waste any sticky notes or take up the
main whiteboard space (front of the classroom).

Findings from Research

To make my children’s story better, I went through the graded rubric that my teacher gave
back to me. I could improve on the purpose of the story, standards summary, photographic
verification of the book’s construction, the work log, and the summary of the research. With the
time that I have, redrawing and reconstructing my children’s book will take too long, instead I
can rethink the meaning to my story in order to make it more engaging. A good summary allows
people to enjoy the book even if they don’t read it (Glass, 2019). I need to rethink who I am
really writing it for, and what vocabulary level they will understand. It has to be professional as
well as clear.

Plan of Action
(This is where you describe what you plan to do. This is a narrative that includes
technical drawings utilizing Inventor, materials needed, processes/procedures for completion of
the device/process, and a time frame for completion.)

First, I am going to rewrite the standards summary. This is where I got the lowest score, and this
is where I could’ve improved in. Next, I will add more details to the purpose of the story. I want
the judges to know that I want to help kids learn. Next is the plan of work log. I need to make it
neater and add in more details of what and when we do things. When I present my children’s
book, I need to be more engaging next time because it wasn’t very “beautifully told and
entertaining” when we read the book to the judges.
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References

Glass, M. (2019, September 30). How to Write a Book Summary, Step-by-Step

(w/ Templates). Retrieved from

https://kopywritingkourse.com/how-to-write-a-book-summary/.

Device/ Product was made

Function

My updated story uses Arlo the Astronaut, an engaging ape, to teach children about the
STEM involved with space. Our story opens with Arlo having trained for years to become an
astronaut. This introduces the process that would go into the process of going to the moon/mars.
He has to make multiple decisions throughout his journey including what aircraft to
take, simple math to fix the spaceship, and what he should wear while venturing into space.
Interactions with Arlo will make the child more engaged with STEM, wanting to learn more as
they answer the questions correctly (to keep on reading). We introduced a new idea of gravity
which helps them know why astronauts float in space and why we can’t on earth. We wanted the
children to choose their own path to which planet they want to visit with Arlo, as well as
implementing an image in their head of what those planets look like. Children are needed to
solve math problems and connect wires in order to follow the right path. We included all parts of
STEM to fully encompass the depth of space travel. Because we introduced complex ideas like
“gravity” and addition to our storybook, our intended audience is young children between the
ages of 5 and 8.

I made the overall book more professional by laminating the cover, printing each paper
out in a professional area, making the cover hard cover, and having a sleek binding to it. I also
rewrote the portfolio so that it was more detailed.

Form

I thought that they overall look and design of the book turned out great. The hardcover
made it feel like a real children’s book, and the laminated front and back cover made it very
professional. All the pages in the cardstock made it look like this book is durable and
professional done. The portfolio looks neat and well written with organized pages. I wrote a lot
more for thing topics that I got marked off points during the judging process.