When our son started that stuff we started linking everything to his grades, then as an added bonus we offered bonuses based on semester grades, $xx for an A and down the line.
My mother tried to make that deal with me, only it was all or nothing: $500 for straight A's for a semester. I knew I was never going to attain that goal so I didn't even try.
It wasn't that I couldn't attain the goal, it was more that I really didn't give a crap about things like Composition.
A little additional background: He goes to a full-time gifted magnet school that feeds directly into a couple of full-time gifted high schools that are ranked among the 10 best high schools in the country.
That's a plus. Hopefully he's getting some good challenges then, and it sounds like the project is something really cool for a 12-yo to be doing! It should also remove the stigma of being smart, since those around him are smart as well.
The problem is that he procrastinated and procrastinated, and now he's frantically trying to finish the project and doesn't have time to study for the 9-week exams he has tomorrow.
Oh man, that is SO me. And Mike is right on about that.
When my son was that age I still had my construction business. I would just take him into work and make him dig footers or something similar. Every now and then I would make a comment like "if you don't get a good college education that's the type of work you'll be doing for the rest of your life".
I remember someone else posting something about that on the old AOPA board after their daughter had skipped school. She was made to go to Dad's office and spend the entire day cleaning, with a similar comment at the end. Gotta make sure that they know why you did it though - Love. That's the tough part. As much as something like this would have probably helped me, I'm guessing it would have made me mad enough to go the opposite direction without that last ingredient. I had major power struggles with my mother throughout my teen years.
Update: The science project that prompted this angst-fest was "The effect of upper camber on airfoil lift," which involved carving wings from balsa and testing them in a homemade wind tunnel. Due date has come and gone. He was up until 2 am the day it was due finishing it up, and sleep-walked through his presentation. The presentation still got him 82/85 and his research report earned 100/100, netting him a 98 percent.
How DO these kids do it?
Well, ya know... That's pretty good. I didn't really care what my GPA was. C's were plenty good for me. Most teachers graded 50% tests, 25% quizzes, 25% homework for the quarter, and semester grades were 40% each quarter and 20% final exam. I was really good at tests and quizzes, so I never did any homework for the most part because I knew if I aced the tests and quizzes, I'd still get a C even if my homework grade was a 0.
Teachers make a HUGE HUGE HUGE difference. I was more of a math and science kid, but I even managed some bad grades there. However, I still remember who the good teachers were. We had some great science teachers, especially the physics ones. (I remember sitting in Biology class one day when suddenly Mr. Leutschwager, a physics teacher, came floating down the hallway on a homemade hovercraft.
) The subjects I really didn't like were the English and Social Studies stuff. However, I really enjoyed Creative Writing and Psychology, solely because the teachers had the gift of finding ways to inspire me, which was a tough thing to do back then. Long story short, see if you can involve some teachers too.
Looking through the thread, there's a lot of good ideas that certainly would have worked better on me. (My mother was an all-stick-and-no-carrot type, and what few carrots she ever offered were too long-term for me to ever be interested.) DO negotiate, but do it beforehand - Come up with a joint contract, and let him decide the appropriate rewards and punishments (Yes, you do have to approve, but you'd be surprised what you might come up with here if you just let the kid decide...) DON'T rule with an iron fist, that'll simply separate you and make him more rebellious. DO spend one-on-one time with him, doing fun and interesting things, regardless of anything else - He's got to see that you love him no matter what. DO encourage him to participate in sports, band, and other extracurricular activities, which may or may not be school-sanctioned. DO encourage him to get a job - Mowing lawns in the summer and/or paper route are probably the only options at his age.
What turned me around was marching in the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps. I had never done anything that difficult or rewarding in my life. It gave me some independence, being on tour all summer long. It also forced me to get my **** together. I learned how to manage time (OK I have two hours, and in that time I need to eat, shower, pack my stuff, polish my horn and shoes, get my under-the-bus stuff outside with 1/2 hr left, everything else on the bus with 15 minutes left, help clean the school, and get into uniform.) I did my own laundry. I was pushed for the first time not by my parents, but by my peers. The staff made me do things I didn't even think I was capable of when I started, and that opened up new doors in my mind. (Hey, I really CAN do anything I set my mind to!)
The first year completely kicked my butt, but it was the most amazing experience I'd ever had. (Who else was on national television at age 16?
) I ended up going back, for a total of six seasons, every year until I "aged out." I was able to grow into leadership positions, and help other younger guys grow as I had. I played in quite a few NFL stadiums. I played a solo in front of 35,000 people. I was suddenly a "rock star" and so I learned a few things about girls too.
I became a much better person in every imaginable way. When I returned from tour, my parents saw a whole different person than when I left.
Every person is shaped by different things - Somehow, you need to help him find his. Good luck.
signed,
a former royal-pain-in-the-ass teen.
Feel better now! 
