[Presentation] Personal Improvement Project

Background Info.

For this speech, you will choose some aspect of your personal life that you want to improve. It could be your math grade, your ollie to kick-flip ability, how well you can cook a steak, or getting along better with your siblings. The point is to choose something that you will enjoy working on for this project.

S.M.A.R.T. Goal

Regardless of which topic you choose, it must be stated as a SMART goal. This is a method of setting goals that makes it easier to define and meet those goals. The SMART acronym will be explained below with examples.

1. Specific: Your goal must be specific.
   • Example: "I want to improve my 100 meter freestyle time." or "I need to get better at dividing fractions."
   • Non-Example: "I want to swim better." or "I need to learn math."
2. Measureable: Your goal must be measureable in some way. You will need a baseline measurement when you start. You will need a measurement at the end of the project too.
   • Example: "My Fortnite K/D was 0.56 to start. After this project, my K/D was 0.75."
   • Non-Example: "When I started, fractions were hard. Now I think they're easier."
3. Achievable: Your goal must be something you can actually achieve considering the time and resources available.
   • Example: "My goal is to get a 4 or better on my FSA Reading test." or "I want to learn how to cook chicken parmesan without burning it."
   • Non-Example: "I want to win a gold medal in Olympic ice dancing." or "I would like to bench press 350 lbs."
4. Relevant: Choose a goal that is important to you. If the goal is not relevant you won't want to work on it.
5. Time: You must establish a time frame to meet your goal. For this project you have approximately 7 weeks to meet your goal. Choose something you can accomplish in this time.
   • Example: "I would like to improve my sight-reading ability by May 1st, 2018."
   • Non-Example: "I would like to run faster this year."

Complete Example #01: "By May 1st, I would like to improve my current mile time of 6:36 by at least 15 seconds."
Complete Example #02: "I would like to reduce the number of times I fight with my brother from once a day to once a week by June 1st."

Expectations

The expectations for this project are simple:

• You need to spend at least one hour a week working towards your goal.
• You need to keep a Excel spreadsheet log that includes the following:
  1. Date you worked on the goal.
  2. Time you spent working on the goal. [In Minutes]
  3. What you actually did to work on the goal.

Writing the Speech

Using this information you will need to plan and write a speech that should take 60 seconds to present. Usually, five to seven paragraphs is required to discuss all of the required information. When planning and writing your speech please make sure that you:

1. Introduce yourself to the audience.
2. Tell the audience what your topic is.
3. Provide details and support for your topic.
4. Thank the audience at the end.

You are required to have a hard-copy of your speech when you present. You can either print it out OR write it down on index cards.

The PowerPoint

Students will also create a PowerPoint to present along with the speech.

Rule #1 of every 60 Second Speech assignment is DO NOT READ DIRECTLY FROM THE POWERPOINT.

The PowerPoint is meant to be a visual aid for the speech, not the focus of the presentation. Your PowerPoint should include the following slides:

1. TITLE SLIDE with NAME, TOPIC.
2. One slide that explains why you chose your topic.
3. One slide that explains what you did to practice/improve.
4. One slide that explains your final results.
5. CONCLUSION SLIDE

Pro-Tips for Great Slides

• Bullet points are usually better than sentences.
• No more than three or four bullet points per slide.
• Use a LARGE font so the audience can read it.
• Make sure the BACKGROUND and FONT COLOR contrast. (e.g. dark background with light font OR light background with dark font)
• No more than one or two pictures per slide.
• Keep sound effects and crazy transitions/animations to a minimum.

Speech and PowerPoint Rubric

New rubric will be posted soon.

Presentation Dates

• Presentations will begin the week of May 03, 2021.
• A specific presentation order will be determined in class. Students will know at least one week before their scheduled presentation date.
• Students that are absent on their scheduled day will need to make-up their presentation during the next class period.

[Presentation] Career Day

Background Info.

Public speaking is an extremely important skill. Whether you are interviewing for a job or delivering a presentation in front a jury it is important to speak well. The 60 Second Speech assignments will prepare you for those situations.

Directions

For the first 60 Second Speech, imagine it is 20 years into the future. The year is 2041. Most of you will be in your early 30's. Think about the career you want to have at that point. You will need to conduct some research about that job and prepare a short presentation based on that job. You will pretend as though you are delivering your speech to a group of middle school students on Career Day.

Research Info.

Students will research some information about their desired career. Students will need to use the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for some of their research. For this presentation students must identify and describe the following:

1. Typical Entry Level Education and/or On-the-job Training
2. What that career does.
3. Salary and benefits of that career.
4. Role of technology in that career.

For Example:

1. Mechanical Engineers require at least a 4-year college degree.
2. Mechanical engineers research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.
3. The average annual salary for a mechanical engineer is $83,590. Many mechanical engineers also receive health, dental, and vision insurance. Some engineering firms also offer retirement plans, vacation hours, and sick leave. Some also provide flexible working hours or the ability to work from home via a computer.
4. Computers are used to help create almost all of the designs a mechanical engineer would make. Some mechanical engineers can also work from home using a computer. Technology such as X-rays and sonar can also be used to test designs for safety issues.

Writing the Speech

Using this information you will need to plan and write a speech that should take 60 seconds to present. Usually, five to seven paragraphs is required to discuss all of the required information. When planning and writing your speech please make sure that you:

1. Introduce yourself to the audience.
2. Tell the audience what your topic is.
3. Discuss and explain the required information that you found while researching.
4. Thank the audience at the end.

You are required to have a hard-copy of your speech when you present. You can either print it out OR write it down on index cards.

Example Speech:

"Hello, my name is Daryl and I'm going tell you a little bit about being a mechanical engineer.

I knew I wanted to be a mechanical engineer after my uncle bought me my first LEGO set. I was addicted to building things and taking them apart. I went to Georgia Tech and earned a 4-year degree in mechanical engineering. I had to study many math and science classes to graduate. I was lucky enough to find a job in Atlanta working at the Grimes Engineering Firm.

At the Grimes Engineering Firm I am responsible for designing walkers for hospital patients and the elderly. I use a computer program to help me design walkers that are both strong and light. It is important for them to be strong enough to support weight but light enough that they can easily be carried.

After creating designs on the computer I use a 3D printer to print out prototypes of my designs. This gives me a chance to actually use the design. We also send prototypes to hospitals so we can get patient feedback on the design. As an engineer, it's important to find out what the customer would want in their design.

I usually work 50-60 hours a week, but I am payed quite well. I make almost $85,000 a year. My firm covers my health insurance, dental visits, and I get three weeks of vacation every year. This year I plan on visiting Alexandria, Virginia in the fall to see my friend Glenn.

Being a mechanical engineer is stressful. I work hard and often have to work long hours to meet deadlines. The job does pay well, and the vacation time is nice. I hope you have learned a little bit more about being a mechanical engineer. Thank you for your time!"

The PowerPoint

Students will also create a PowerPoint to present along with the speech.

Rule #1 of every 60 Second Speech assignment is DO NOT READ DIRECTLY FROM THE POWERPOINT.

The PowerPoint is meant to be a visual aid for the speech, not the focus of the presentation. Your PowerPoint should include the following slides:

1. TITLE SLIDE with NAME and TOPIC.
2. EDUCATION/TRAINING
3. CAREER DESCRIPTION
4. SALARY/BENEFITS
5. ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
6. CONCLUSION SLIDE

Pro-Tips for Great Slides

• Bullet points are usually better than sentences.
• No more than three or four bullet points per slide.
• Use a LARGE font so the audience can read it.
• Make sure the BACKGROUND and FONT COLOR contrast. (e.g. dark background with light font OR light background with dark font)
• No more than one or two pictures per slide.
• Keep sound effects and crazy transitions/animations to a minimum.

Speech and PowerPoint Rubric

Presentation Dates

• Presentations will begin the week of February 10, 2021.
• A specific presentation order will be determined in class. Students will know at least one week before their scheduled presentation date.
• IF YOU ARE PRESENT ON YOUR ASSIGNED DAY AND DO NOT PRESENT, YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO.
• Students that are absent on their scheduled day will need to make-up their presentation during the next class period.