Make sure you talk about the project from day one and really build it up to be a fun and exciting thing to work on . You could even make it a group project or just 2 people together. That would relieve some of the stress of having to do it alone if they had a partner or partners to help. I think like all of us, some students just get burn out about half way thru and it is easy to lose a few at that time. What ever the reason be (work, weather, child care issues) etc.
