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Frequently Asked Questions 

Q:  Does this assessment count? 

While students are not graded for this assessment, they are scored.  Students will receive an individual score for the quality of their collaboration as well as group scores for their ability to problem solve, effectively communicate, and impact the judges.  The top scoring teams from each group presentation room will have the opportunity to Skype with real world experts following the presentations.  The scores we collect are used as a "district physical" allowing us to check our "overall health" in how well we are preparing students for meeting the 21st century competencies (effective communicator, creative problem solver, collaborative team member, information literate researcher, self-directed learner, and globally aware citizen).

Q: Do students get to pick their own groups?

Students have an opportunity to select from seven different options based on his/her interest.  All students will get their first choice.  From that selection, we then randomly assign students to groups, requiring that students work with different kinds of people (not just friends) which they will have to do in both college and the workforce.

Q: Who are the judges and what are they looking for?

The judges are made up of community members, teachers, high school students, and educators from across the state.  They are all trained on utilizing the rubrics so there is inter-rater reliablility and there are usually between 3-5 judges per room.  They will score students on their ability to effectively problem solve, communicate the solution, and ultimately make an impact as to whether they will fund or support the proposal.  Students will receive their scores and which groups will be moving on to the Skype conferences by the end of the day of the presentations.

Q: How much time do students have to complete this task?

Students will have four days to research and create the presentations.  Students will have all of team time and flex to work on this project which is approximately four hours per day.  The expectation is that this can all be completed in school and that students won't need to assign themselves homework during this process.  On Day 5, which is the day of the presentations, groups will have ten minutes to present and five minutes to respond to the judge's questions.

Q: Will this really make a difference?

Approximately 30% of the 8th grade class will have an opportunity to Skype with real world experts following the presentations.  Many of those experts are members of organizations who work in the global development field and could share student-generated ideas with actual decision makers at the UN, World Bank, and USAID.  As well, this experience doesn't have to end with this project.  Many previous 8th grade graduates have taken what they learned through the Global Challenge and started new clubs or joined clubs at the high school aimed at improving the lives of others or become more aware and conscious of how we can make a difference here at home.   
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