SENIOR PROJECT SELF-EVALUATION
Directions: Utilize this worksheet to help evaluate yourself and your project. Be as complete and
descriptive as possible. This self-evaluation should give the scoring team a clear picture of what
you accomplished in your project.
Name - Daniel Lisco Project Start Date – Second Semester, 2020
Title of Project - Why to be Plastic Free Project Completion Date - April 22 2020
1. In 40 words or more describe who your project benefited and how. In other words, what
was the impact of your project?
My project was beneficial to kindergarteners because I was able to open their eyes to concepts like plastic
pollution and being environmentally friendly, which is something a typical kindergartener does not learn
at their age. By teaching them complex concepts like this at an early stage, they will be able to grasp a
better understanding as they continue in higher education.
2. In at least 40 words explain how the project challenged you. How was this a stretch for
you?
My project was a challenge because I had to construct a children’s book that was both
entertaining/attractive to kindergarteners while also being very informational and comprehensive at that
level. Along with that, drawing the illustrations were challenging as I had to demonstrate plastic pollution
and other waste harming animals and the environment differently on each page. With each page I also had
to be creative with how I drew the animals and how their actions show them in distress. With the rhymes I
had to make sure that the words I chose were not too complicated and understandable.
3. List and then describe 5-8 fundamental ideas/concepts/skills of your project, which you
learned/enhanced during your project.
● Creativity: For my project I had to create a book that was both entertaining for a kindergartener
while also being very informational. With that being said, I believe that I have succeeded in
creating attractive illustrations that hopefully provide the students with a visual understanding of
the effects of plastic pollution. In terms of information, I believe that I was able to get my
message across with multiple examples. Although, there are some other ideas I wish I could have
incorporated; however, that would have made creating a good story very complicated with the
limited space I had.
● Planning an Event: This was the first time I have ever had to contact a professional for an event
or lesson. Initially I was tempted to email a couple of principals at a few local elementary schools,
but I was advised to email Lynnhaven first since it was the school I attended. I was lucky to find
out that the assistant principal of Lynnhaven had a son who was in the Legal Studies Academy.
Thus there was a mutual understanding about the importance of this project.
● Time Management: With the children’s book I knew I had to be creative with my drawings.
Since kindergarteners mainly focus on pictures and drawings, I had to draw illustrations that were
informative and appealing. With that being the case, I made sure I reserved enough time for me to
outline, color, and bolden my drawings. In addition, I had to spend quite a while to find a flowing
rhyme that told a realistic story.
● Adapting to Change: Before the total cancellation of school, Mrs. V and I discussed alternative
methods I could use to present my book. We came to the conclusion that video recording myself
presenting the book would be the best option because it allowed the students to view the video on
their own time within the week span and comment their thoughts. Along with that, the teacher
was able to easily distribute the video to her students via Seesaw, an online classroom.
● Communication: This is a skill I believe I am proficient in. With my project I had to constantly
communicate with my professionals so that I could set up a date as quickly as possible. By setting
a date as quickly as possible, I was able to plan approximately how much time I should spend
constructing my book and estimate when it should be done. After the cancellation of school, I
continued to keep in contact with my professionals to formulate a new plan to execute my project.
4. List and describe 4-8 problems/obstacles/issues you encountered in your project, and briefly
describe how you solved each.
● Cancellation of school: Under the circumstance, I have had to make adjustments to my project.
Rather than teaching the students face to face, I had to record myself presenting the book. Before
I did this, I had to constantly communicate with the assistant principal during the initial two week
cancellation on any updates he received on the future of school. After the cancellation of school
for the rest of the school year, I contacted the teacher to see if I could video record my book and
that was approved. Then all there was to do is record myself and send.
● Creating the best overall drawings: For my book, I wanted to have the best overall illustrations
that were very visually appealing while also educative. Rather than just having illustrations that
only looked good, I wanted each one of them to be accurate representations of what the plastic
pollution reality looks like. With the variety of environments being used in the story, ranging
from glaciers to grasslands to the deep ocean, it demonstrates how plastic pollution is impactful
everywhere and anywhere.
● Finding the best materials: For my project, I was struggling to find the best option to use to
create my children’s book. I found some book creating kits and other sets that seemed to work,
though they either cost too much money or the process would be too time consuming. After doing
some more searching on the internet, I considered going to some arts and craft stores like
Michaels or AC Moore. To my suprise, Michaels were having sales on some of their products and
I was lucky enough to find scrapbooks and letter stickers for sale. With these materials, along
with my pencils and color pencils, I was able to create my children’s book.
● Discovering a story: Prior to starting the illustrations, I was struggling to find the best story to
write about. I was conflicted between telling a story of an animal or just simply writing a book
about facts in a fun way. I thought telling the story of an animal would gain more sympathy from
the children, though my story would only be dedicated to that single animal. With the factual
story, I believe it provided more versatility for different stories of all sorts of animals, but the
reader would not feel as connected to the characters compared to the first option. In the end, I
choose to write a more factual based story since the objective of my project is to spread
awareness through facts and evidence.
5. List materials used.
● (3x) Michaels 20 Page Top Load Scrapbook
● (2x) Michaels letter stickers
● Coloring pencils
● Drawing pencils
6. List all people who helped you on the project and briefly describe the help given.
● The principal at Lynnhaven Elementary School helped me by allowing me to have my senior
project at her school. Without her permission, I would have had to find a different elementary
school.
● The assistant principal helped me by finding me a teacher that would be willing to let me present
my book to their class. Not to mention, his assistance gave me some reassurance because his son
was also a student of the LSA.
● The teacher helped me by allowing me to present my project in her class despite all of the
complications with school cancelations. She presented my book to the students via an online
platform.
● Mrs. V helped me throughout the journey because she gave me tons of advice and tips so that I
could make the most of the situation. Before school was canceled, she and I discussed alternative
ways I could use to complete my project.
7. How does your completed project compare to the picture you had in mind when you started the
project? Explain the reason behind any changes from your proposal.
● When I signed up to do the children’s book as my senior project, I had in mind a fully
professional book with crystal clear pictures and no flaws or imperfections. Compared to the book
I created, I believe that I did not succeed in getting the professional look; however, I believe my
book is great in terms of explaining the main idea. My idea of having the perfect professional
book changed when I came to the realization that I did not need the professional look to get my
message across. What I mainly needed to focus on was good illustrations and catchy rhymes,
which when combined together really attracted the reader and opened their eyes to the story.
8. If given the opportunity, explain what you would have done differently now that you speak from
experience?
● Prior to the start of the second semester, I would have begun my preparation immediately after
first semester panels. If I started my preparations earlier, I would have been able to develop a
stronger story and find ways to get my book a more professional look with any extra time. With
those preparations, I would have been able to create the perfect book.
9. Beyond the project itself, what did you learn about yourself?
● I learned that if I fully commit myself to a project or anything, the end product will reflect that.
In addition, if the topic is something I truly am interested in, I will be able to learn and understand
the material better.
10. What grade would you give yourself on the project? Justify the evaluation of your grade in at
least 25 words.
Grade: 22/25
Justification: I believe that I would receive a 22/25 on the project because my book evidently
successfully got its message across. With the combination of the illustrations and the rhymes, the
readers were able to understand the story both visually and verbally. With that being said, I do not
think that my project was in any way perfect because there are aspects of my book that i would
improve.