Mrs. Fauver's US History Webpage

Academic Fair Project

Students are invited to research an event or era in history, create a product that demonstrates their learning and present it along with a structured 2 page summary of their research.

REQUIRED:

·         Tri-fold board detailing research process

o   Catchy title

o   PEGS display

o   Timeline of specific events as compared to events that relate to your topic

o   Copies of primary sources

o   Minimum of two graphic displays (anything that is not text; primary source can fall into this category)

o   Explanation of the steps you took to complete this project

o   Bibliography

o   Maximum of 500 words to describe parts of display (not counting bibliography or words that are not your own, like quotes or the text of a primary source document)

·         In addition to the tri-fold, complete one of the following:

o   Write a two page research paper

o   Create a model

o   Display authentic artifacts

o   Design and construct a product (art, music, film, etc.)

o   Write and produce a film or play

o   Create a slide show

o   Write and present a mock trial

o   Create a simulation

o   Compile a booklet with illustrations

o   Write and produce a radio program or news report

o   Consult with your teacher if you have a different idea!

TOPICS:

This is your opportunity to demonstrate your strength in the area of Social Studies. You may propose a topic, but it must be approved by your teacher. On the back you will find some suggestions.

Guidelines for topic selection:

·         Be specific (specific people, places, ideas and or periods in history)

·         Choose something you REALLY want to learn about (you will spend A LOT of time thinking and reading about this topic)

POSSIBLE PROJECT IDEAS

·         How have people impacted geography during a specific time and in a specific place?

·         What was Native American civilization in a specific place like before Europeans came to the Americas?

·         How has a specific invention changed the world? (i.e. gunpowder, the camera, the cotton gin, the telephone, windmills, steam power, etc.)

·         How did the American Revolution inspire other revolutions in the same period of time and what did these major revolutions have in common?

·         What impact has the American Constitution had on the world?

·         Describe in detail what life was like in a specific era of history prior to your lifetime.

·         How did families who were politically, geographically, and socially divided react to the Civil War?

·         What was Ben Franklin / Thomas Jefferson / George Washington/ Abraham Lincoln / Frederick Douglass / Cesar Chavez / JFK…. ‘s influence on America? (any figure in American History)

·         How did my family arrive in Texas or the US, and how does our story compare to others?

·         Describe a “movement” in American History. How did it come about, why was it needed, what happened during, and what were the results of said movement? (i.e. Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Reconstruction, Women’s Suffrage, etc.)

·         Explain how _____ has changed over a long period of time. (i.e. fashion trends, food and nutrition, advertising, home life, etc.)

·         Choose a specific event in history that was pivotal. (i.e. assassination of a historical figure, a natural disaster, battle in a war, etc.)

You may propose a topic of your interest to your teacher, but it must be approved by the FIRST CHECKPOINT on October 21, 2011.