Community Specialists
Many different members of the community, both within and beyond the school, can support students in their personal project. Community specialists may have skills or access to resources that teachers at the school do not. They may support students in ways that teachers are not capable of, given a students area of focus and desired product and learning goals.
Within the School
A few possible examples of community specialists within the school may include a school's media team or IT department, if a student is focused on these areas for their project. Parents and family members offer a tremendous range of expertise and experiences that can be tapped into as well. The librarian is also, of course, a key support person within the school who should not be overlooked.
Outside the School
Students are encouraged and supported in making connections with professionals, organizations, and other community members outside the school through the personal project. For example, a student may reach out to a professional scientist, artist, athlete, YouTuber, psychologist, architect, or so many other types of professional. They may reach out to large organizations (governmental or nongovernmental) or small grass-roots groups as well.