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Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Group Projects Kick-off
Bren SchoolClass of 2003
March 14, 2002
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Why are we here today?
Get everyone (students and faculty) on same wavelength
Clarify deadlines and deliverablesAnswer questionsClarify role of Jill Richardson, Charlie
Kolstad and Arturo KellerGenerate ENTHUSIASM for this
extremely rewarding part of the MESM
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Overview of Talk
What is a group project?What makes a good group project?What are some pitfalls?GradingSpring quarter and the proposalOther timeline issuesFinal deliverables
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
What is a Group Project?
MESM grads: environmental problem solvers
The Group Project: a real environmental problem to solve
Solve a problem; don’t just generate facts.
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Group Projects: 2002-3
Dozier: Science and Management for Sustainable Agriculture; Sunnyside Farms
Keller: Analysis of Implementation Alternatives for the PCB TMDL in San Francisco Bay; San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
Davis & Ramus: Local Communities and the Development of a Management Plan for the Los Padres National Forest; Community Forestry International
Costello: Designing an Ecological Linkage Portfolio for the South Coast Ecoregion; The Nature Conservancy
McAusland & Kendall: Assessment of Chemical and Non-Chemical Stressors on the Fall-Run Chinook Salmon in Dry Creek; Cal EPA
Delmas & Frew: The Impact of ISO 14001 on Environmental Management Practices; Toyota
Bento: Review of Sensitivity (Tier) Levels and Biological Mitigation Ratios as Management Tools for Preservation of Habitat within San Diego County; Resource Planning Division, San Diego County
Melack & McGinnis: Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model for San Diego County; Resource Planning Division, San Diego County
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Why is the Group Project Important?
Practical experience in solving problems
Experience in working in a teamExperience in working to deadlines
with incomplete informationExperience in dealing with clientsGreat for your resume and job-
seeking
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
What Makes a GoodGroup Project?
Well-defined objectivesLimited scopeGood team interactionAttentive client who caresSummer internshipsInteresting problem
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
What’s to be avoided?
Vague objectivesProcrastinationSlacking on the teamScope too broadFailure to see big picture -- focus
on the interests of the students rather than the needs of the client
Follow client too closely
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Steps to Success
Collect as much information as you can quickly and assimilate it
Find out how other people have solved similar problems – you are not alone!!
Be clear about your objectives and stay focused
Write drafts in advance of deadlinesPut someone “in charge”
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Structure of the Group
Faculty advisorsOnly there to adviseMay take a hands-off approachUse them!!!! But you need to ask!!!!
Internal structure of the group important
Democracy over-ratedSomeone needs to be in chargeSuggest electing a rotating leader
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Other Personnel
Group Project CoordinatorJill Richardson
Group Project Faculty SupervisorSpring, 2002: Charles KolstadAY 2002-3: Arturo Keller
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Grading and Reviews
Grades IP (In Progress) grade given at end of S and F QuarterLetter grade given at end of project (end of W Quarter)Registrar replaces previous IP grades with letter gradeWritten report from advisors at end of S and F Quarters
Peer ReviewsStudents generate written evaluations on fellow
studentsDecember Review
Review of compatibility of group membersSplitting group is remedy for serious problems
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Deliverables
April 2003: Polished oral presentationMarch 2003 (end of Winter Quarter)
Poster“Brief”: 4 page spiffy summaryFinal Report
October 2002Public Presentation on ProgressRevised Project Proposal
June 2002External ReviewProject Proposal: Work Plan and Management Plan
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Spring 2002: The Most Important Quarter
Develop your full project work plan/proposal; ie, figure out exactly what you are going to do
Design a Management plan -- the people plan
Undertake an expert review of your proposed project by outsiders
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
The Proposal/Work Plan
Objectives (be concise) Significance (why does anyone care?) Background information (all the stuff that needs to be there
but doesn’t need to be read) Approach -- your technical approach to addressing the
problem; include specific tasks and subtasks Management plan -- how you will assign personnel Stakeholders Deliverables -- what you will produce and what it will be like Milestones -- dates when you initiate and complete tasks
and provide deliverables References Budget
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
External Review
By last day of classes in JunePurpose: to gain critical feedbackGroup identifies at least 2 outside
expertsInvite outside experts and at least
two Bren faculty (in addition to advisors) to presentation of proposal
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Structure of Spring Quarter
Weekly meetings with advisorRegularly scheduledKeep advisors informed of projectClear up difficulties
All-Project MeetingsWeekly during first half of quarter Instructor: John Cushman – project management
expertHands-on experience and feedback on developing
your work and management plan
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
SummerINTERNSHIPS!!!
Worst scenario -- everyone disappears for summer
Best scenario -- everyone gets a paid internship working on aspects of the proposal
Dave Parker is coordinating internships
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Fall Quarter
Most of the work on the project is done in Fall Quarter Start with “Fall Presentation”
Early October Public presentation of work to date 15 minute oral presentation plus 10 minutes of discussion Attendees
Bren Students Bren Faculty Client Outside experts
End of quarter: written progress report
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Winter Quarter
Work largely completed in Fall quarter Winter quarter activities
Document Communicate
Deliverables (late March) Final report Draft Oral Presentation -- Powerpoint Poster Group Project Brief
4-page summary Lots of attention to communicating Primary vehicle for communicating results of project
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Spring Quarter, 2nd Year
Oral Presentation to Power-AudienceAdvisory Board MembersPotential EmployersFaculty and studentsRelatives
VERY PolishedOnly one presenter encouraged; all
students must be present20 minute presentation plus questionsAccompanying poster session
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
What you need to do NOW!
Educate yourself about your projectCollect papers and reportsRead about your projectThink about your project
Discuss among student project members
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UCSB
Summary
A lot of workA lot of responsibilityFrustrationsBut a VERY rewarding experience