Blake Taylor

A. OVERVIEW
The topic of my senior project will be erosion and the affects it has on the area around us
and specifically our beaches where it is very prevalent. For my senior project I will be teaching a
seminar to students about the causes, effects, and dangers of erosion. I plan on using some sort of
wood, clay, or maybe a thick paper to represent our beaches, and then the students will use a nail
file or sandpaper to shave down the object. After doing this in increments which will represent
time periods, I will tell the students that this represents our beaches and what can happen if we
don’t take the right steps to protect our beaches and other areas affected by erosion. My
consultant will be Dr. Sullivan at First Colonial High School. The driving questions for my
project will be as follows:

● How much beach is eroded each year?

● What are the major causes of erosion?
● What does the government do to try to slow erosion?
● What can citizens do to help slow erosion?
● How does soil erosion and runoff affect farming?
● Are there laws that protect beaches from erosion or require the government to try to
prevent it?

B. LEARNING TARGETS, GROWTH GOALS, AND SKILLS

Learning Targets:
● Will learn to keep students engaged.
● Learn how to set up a project of this scale.

Enhanced Skills:
● I plan on getting better at teaching an interactive class.
● I will learn much more about erosion and how it affects our environment and ecosystems.

Growth Goals:
● I what to become a better presenter and teacher.
● One of my goals is to gain more patience in dealing with the class or maybe the slow
moving parts of the project.

C. MARKETING PLAN/FACILITIES/AUDIENCE
My target audience will be the class that I am teaching as well as the people of Virginia
Beach. Mainly the people that go to the beach often or who farm. The class grade level will
probably be in elementary school, and I hope to get a 5th grade class. They will benefit because
they will gain knowledge on how to preserve the environment they live in. It is important that the
5th graders know because they are the future of this area.
Blake Taylor

D. PROJECT STEPS

Preliminary Steps Research topic, create a class plan, meet with

Dr. Sullivan to receive feedback.

Midway Steps Make revisions to class plan, confirm

classroom, continue meeting with Dr.
Sullivan.

Later Steps Gather materials to teach class, run through

the day, continue meeting with Dr. Sullivan.

Follow Up Thank you letters, reflect on teaching.

Total 20+

E. PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
I will be taking photos along the way of all steps and aspects of my project such as during
meetings with my consultants and gathering materials and resources for the project. I also plan to
film the class where I teach and interact with the lower school students. I will also be keeping a
log of all the hours I am working on my project.

J. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
My senior project is a quality project because I will be teaching a class about erosion, and
this matter has to do with the future of this area that is affected greatly by erosion every year. I
will be teaching these lower school students who are the future of this area and it is worth my
time because it is a passion of mine and has a purpose. It will also help me grow as an instructor
and teacher because this will be the first time I have really taught a class.

G. PROJECT PAPER CONNECTION

In my research I will be exploring how much the government tries to help or if they really
help try to prevent erosion at all. I’m not sure if they are legally required to protect beaches and
what laws are for farm runoff. I I will see if it varies by state and if there are any federal
guidelines that govern what the states must do such as any EPA guidelines that states must to
follow.

H. ACADEMIC HONESTY
Blake Taylor

I understand that any academic dishonesty by me on any part of the project will result in failure
of the Senior Project and forfeiture of the Legal Studies Seal on my High School diploma.