Final Project for AP Computer Science A

Im sure this class has been very different from all your other
classes in school. Its probably the most realistic experience for
college-level courses, not necessarily in terms of difficulty, but in
expectations for work ethics, level of support, etc.
This project will involve group effort during class. Your group of no
more than three may decide to put in extra hours, although that is
optional. The goal is to produce a presentation combining written
product(s), e.g. papers & posters, with multimedia components,
e.g. audio & video. If you choose to be on camera, you must have
your parent or guardian give permission (unless youre an adult)
on a release form that you can get for me.
The audience for your presentation is not the class or me, but
future AP Computer Science students at Manhattan Center,
discussing your experiences in the class, from your expectations
when signing up, to your work habits in the first few weeks, to
your feelings at the end of the first semester, and into the second
semester. If you did homework, class work. What you liked,
disliked, or wish you had done differently.
If you want to delve into other topics, thats great. Its up to your
group to agree on, but I need to see a fleshed-out outline of your
plans by the end of the first week. We have only a few more days
of school and I doubt too many people want to do a lot of
homework, so utilize class time.
Well have some mini-presentations throughout the last month of
class to prepare you for your presentation, as you will be graded
by your peers and me at the end. These short presentations will
help you gain experience and overcome any anxieties.
Timeline
May 26 Groups form and discuss initial plans. Hand in member
list by the end of the period.

May 27 Groups may change but member lists must be finalized,

along with a tentative list of topics and presentation formats.
May 29 A final plan covering topics, presentation tools,
requirements, and internal deadlines. Each person must be given
specific tasks and responsibilities, or no one will be accountable.
June 5 Five-minute presentations on what and how youre going
to present. Whats your thesis? What are your goals? What will
you do?
June 11 Presentations begin: Up to 15 minutes each. Order will
be randomly selected.
Rubrics
Impact (20%) How much effect will this have on the new C.S.
student?
Creativity (20%) Do you use a lot of techniques or technology?
Are your posters colorful, presentations animated?
Class Participation (20%) Are you working in class or goofing off
each day?
Personal (15%) Are your products generic, or do they reflect a
significant amount of personal experiences? Are there many
anecdotes or just general advice?
Informativeness (15%) How instructive is this to the new C.S.
student? Will they learn a lot that they wouldnt have otherwise?
Organized (10%) Did everyone contribute and share the
burdens, or did someone coast on coattails of the group? Did
everyone play their part in the presentations, or did some people
stand around uninterested or perplexed?
Grading

Each group will be graded by their peers and me. The combined
scores will be placed on a curve and each group receives their
rating or the following score, whichever is lower, except the
champions.
Rankin #1
g
Grade
100

#2

#3-4

#5-7

#8 and rest

Up to
95

90

80

Average score
recd