Topic Approval Form

Student Name: Madelinne Verdin Period: 1

Topic Statement (full sentence): My topic is first generation college students.

Answer the following about your topic:

1. What is your prior knowledge about this topic?

I am a first generation college student. No one in my family has ever been to college and I will be the first in my
family to accomplish the feat. However, I know how difficult the path is to get there. It is often times
discouraging to have no support or help at home and can make one feel like college isn’t an option.

2. What problem(s) could you attempt to solve/address in connection with this topic?

I can attempt to address the discouragement felt by those who are also first generation college students and
share my story. Through this I can show them that college is truly an option for them if they want it to be.

3. How can you attempt to solve one of these problems at Poly or in the local community (not globally)?
What type of product do you anticipate completing (see ideas for final product).

I can attempt to solve this by creating a senior panel of first generation college students to speak to incoming
freshman at Matthew Gage Middle School. We can share our experiences and convey to them that they too
can be the first in their families to go to college.

4. Explain how you might spend a minimum of 10 hours outside of the school day in the community
working toward this solution.

I will spend about 8 hours at Gage talking to the students while we do the senior panels. The other two hours
will include putting the event together and working with their AVID coordinator to set it up and also after as we
reflect on how it went.

5. Explain how you might provide evidence of your work throughout the experience.

I will provide evidence by taking pictures of the senior panel speaking to students at Gage Middle School.

6. Explain any obstacles you might encounter in your attempt to address this problem.

I might face some obstacles such as disinterest by the students listening. It is oftentime hard to get younger
kids to engage with older ones.

Your topic is Approved __Yes____ Your topic is NOT Approved ________

Your next step is to complete the research questions. Recommendations:

Remember, if you change your topic, you must
resubmit this form for your NEW topic.
 You will need to revise your topic and resubmit this
form BEFORE you begin work on the research
questions.

Teacher’s Signature: __________________________________________________________

Date: ___________________