YSCP Social Studies Fair
-Canceled-
PURPOSE: The purpose for encouraging students to complete long term projects such as the social studies fair project is to give students the opportunity to research problems or explore a topic in a systematic way. Another benefit of such a project is that it also requires students to integrate and apply the skills they have learned in language arts, math, science, and social studies. Furthermore, such projects allow students the opportunity to satisfy curiosity, express creativity, and demonstrate ingenuity. The fact that competition is involved in the school fairs should not overshadow the basic reason for the project. The primary goal is student learning.
GUIDELINES: Long term projects such as the social studies fair project require parental involvement. To help parents and students understand how much and what type of parental help is permitted, the following guidelines have been adopted:
• • The student should write the report by hand or type on the computer; parents may help with typing the final draft.
• Students should make corrections to their rough draft and complete their final draft before parents proofread the report.
• Computer generated graphics may be included on the board, but the student should be a part of the process. Final decisions should be made by the student.
• Artwork should be the work of the child.
• The parent may assist with measuring, cutting, pasting, hot gluing and placement on the display, but the student should make the final decisions.
• Topic selection should reflect the interests of the child.
• Parents may provide resources and directions when necessary, but research, design, and implementation should be completed by the student.
PROJECT BASICS
• • Topic
• • Physical Display
• • Research Paper
• • Oral Presentation
INTRODUCTION: Selecting a topic is often considered the most difficult step in doing a social studies fair project. Judges consider originality as the key element. Taking an old topic and adding a twist or coming up with a brand new idea adds interest to a subject. Doing research involving a primary source vs. using encyclopedias, Internet, and textbooks gives life to the project.
Ideas for using primary sources would include:
• • Interview a person for a first hand account. Use the tape recording as part of the display.
• • Visit an expert on a craft or technique and learn what makes it unique; make a home video to display with the project.
• • Select some of the folklore, types of unique industries, agriculture, architecture, festivals, food, music, or customs of this area, and bring back pamphlets, photographs, autographs, or samples for the backboard or display.
• • Visit a historical site, and use the artifacts there to tell the story from the perspective of the children of the period. Try on clothes from another time and reproduce paper doll clothes of the period for a display.
• • Don't be afraid to use media other than print to get across your enthusiasm.
• • An attractive backboard, a research report, and a bibliography are essential to a winning presentation. Displays make the difference in showing your creativity.
PROJECT TYPES:
PROBLEM SOLVING : In this type of project you identify a problem, prove the problem exists, collect information about the problem, and offer a solution(s) to the problem. The solution can be yours or someone else's. If it belongs to someone else, you must give him/her credit.
EXPOSITION : Tell about something. This project is just what the name says. Explain and describe your subject as thoroughly as possible.
DEMONSTRATION : Showing how. In this type of project, you tell and show how to do something.
EXAMPLES OF FAIR PROJECTS:
Alternative Ranching in Louisiana
Drummer Boys from the Battlefields
My Family Tree
School Lunches Today: Are There Other Options?
Locating and Building Duck Blinds
Poverty Point: Louisiana Native Americans in Prehistory
The Continental Drift Theory: Is It Still Valid?
Poverty in the United States
The Rex Connection: Mardi Gras in New Orleans
The Mystery That Boggles the Mind: Amelia Earhart
Immigrants in America
Recycle, Reduce, or Use It Up
Student Opinions about Garbage Disposal
RESEARCH REPORT: Once you select a topic, you will begin your research. Follow these steps:
Check out the Internet, interview people, etc. If you find too much information, you may need to narrow your topic. If you don't find enough information, talk to a librarian or other resource person. You may need to broaden your topic.
After you have gathered information, organize it in the form of Thinking or Concept Maps. This will provide help to keep you focused as you write your report.
Write the rough draft (sloppy copy) of your report. Check spelling and grammar. You may bring it to your teacher or librarian for their suggestions before you write the final copy. A research paper is a detailed report. It should show how much effort went into your project and should tell exactly what your project accomplished. It is the most important part of your project.
YOUR REPORT SHOULD INCLUDE:
• • A TITLE PAGE which should include your project's title. Your name should not be on the title page.
• • An INTRODUCTION which tells why you chose that topic and what you hoped to learn. Your purpose should be clearly stated.
• Write the BODY OF THE PAPER in your own words. The body includes answering your questions, or finding solutions to your problem, or information you have discovered in your research. This would include interviews, surveys, and any other information you have gathered.
• • The CONCLUSION you have reached and a summary of your data and/or research.
• • A BIBLIOGRAPHY is a list of resources used to write the report. Include interviews and surveys.
CONSTRUCT YOUR DISPLAY BOARD: The physical element of your project comes in two parts: The Display Board and the "Center" Display. Equal care must be given to them because they are as important as your report.
DISPLAY BOARD: The display board is the board on which you mount your project and/or visuals. They come in many sizes and shapes. Project boards may be found at Staples, Office Max, Wal-Mart and other outlets that sell school supplies. Your display should be self-standing and make certain that it will not topple over. Project boards can be made of paneling, pegboard, heavy cardboard, or plywood. They should be thick enough to hold the display (at least 1/4") but not so thick that they are too heavy to move (not more than 3/4").
CENTER DISPLAY: When your board is opened for display, there is room on the table for additional material. This area is called your center display area. There should be some sort of three dimensional display located on the table in this space. You should consider using: exhibits, models, dioramas, sculpture, crafts, collections, notebooks, scrapbooks, albums, tools, food, clothing, tapes and recorders, leaflets, books magazines, working/ non-working models.
YSCP SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR RULES
The following rules conform to those of the State Social Studies Fair.
• • The exhibitor will be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes to explain, defend, and answer questions on the project. It is suggested that student presentations not exceed three (3) minutes in order to allow time for Judges' questions. Please note that the oral presentation makes a greater impression on the Judges than any other feature of the project.
• • Projects are limited to a table space of 30 inches deep (front-to-back) and 36 inches wide (side-to-side). All elements of the project must fit within the space assigned at the fair and not encroach on adjacent space. No part of the project may be under the display table. No project may exceed 100 pounds in weight and 100 inches in height. Projects must be self-explanatory, stand by themselves, and have back and/or side boards.
• • All projects will be accompanied by a paper with a properly written title page, table of contents, abstract, body of paper, conclusions, and bibliography.
• • Cassette players, light bulbs, batteries, or any other equipment required for a project must be furnished by the entrant. All projects requiring electricity should be indicated on the Official Entry Form and accompanied by a 10-20 foot extension cord. Projects using computers must have electrical surge protection devices. All such equipment must fit within the space allocated for the project.
• • The entrant's name or any other identifying information should not be visible anywhere on the project unless it specifically relates to the project.
• • No live animals or any types of embryos or fetuses may be exhibited. Only properly prepared animal skins, hides, or stuffed animals can be used in exhibits.
• • All projects will be the work of one student.
• • Parents will not be allowed in the project area during the judging periods. No communication between students and parents or teachers will be allowed during the actual judging. This will be strictly enforced.
• The Judges will view all projects at least once between 6:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. It may be necessary for the Judges to view some projects more than once when determining winners.
• • Cameras and video cameras will not be allowed in the judging area during the judging period from 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
TIPS ON WINNING
Originality is very often the most important feature separating winning projects from others. Certain topics--for example, flags of Pennsylvania , the Statue of Liberty--have been used so often that it is difficult to come up with anything new. Projects which show evidence of creativity and use of sources other than encyclopedias and school textbooks are much more likely to gain the favorable attention of the Judges. A good oral presentation is vital to the success of a project. This should be about three (3) minutes long in order to allow time for judges' questions. This presentation allows judges to see that it was the student who completed the project being presented, not a parent, teacher, or someone else.
While participants are not being judged, strictly speaking, on looks or manners, a neat appearance and a polished, dignified delivery is certain to make a favorable impression on the judges.
TOPIC SELECTION
Topics for study are unlimited, especially at the local level. Examples include studies of business, churches, government, people, community change, and rural and urban problems. Gathering information concerning one project may require distribution of questionnaires to a sample of people and tabulation of the results; another project may be based on the study of manuscripts and/or newspapers; and still another project may be based on studying the government publications of some specialized agency. The following are sources of information.
• • Newspapers, magazines, published letters, memos
• • Unpublished manuscripts (wills, letters, deeds, church minutes, diaries)
• • Government publications (international, national, state and local)
• • Publications by private agencies
• • Physical remains (buildings, battle areas, artifacts)
• • Oral interviews, polls and questionnaires, photographs, sound recordings, and films
• • Internet web sites
As a rule, a good researcher uses a variety of these sources of information. The use of one often leads to the use of another. The following are some tools used by social scientists to gather reliable data. Successful past projects have utilized as many of these tools as were appropriate to the subject researched.
* Case studies * Graphic studies
* Experiments * Maps
* Observations * Surveys
* Historical examinations * Statistical analysis
* Samples * Interviews
SOCIAL STUDIES DISCIPLINES
Anthropology: Projects concern how culture has developed by people living and thinking together. Examples are Ancient civilizations, Native Americans, customs, festivals, types of shelter and food, religion, etc. Anthropology is the scientific study of human beings from prehistory to contemporary societies. It includes all aspects of human development, both physical and cultural. The field of archeology is the study of humanity through fossils and artifacts. The field of physical anthropology deals with the biological development of humans. The field of cultural anthropology studies the ways humans have devised to cope with their natural settings and social environments and how customs are learned, retained, and handed down from one generation to another.
Economics: Economics is the scientific study of the production and exchange of goods and services. The economist analyzes the data, issues, and public policies related to the production, distribution, and consumption of scarce resources. The economist describes the economic system in an effort to explain how people satisfy their wants and needs. The economic behavior of humans is concerned with methods of doing business, producing, organizing (labor and management), financing, and regulating economic activities.
Geography: Geography deals with the earth's surface, the utilization of raw materials and resources, and human behavior as it is influenced by location and other geographic factors Projects which are concerning the relationship between man and his natural environment would be choices for this discipline. Examples include ecology, foreign countries, lands and peoples, maps, flooding, rivers, lakes, cities, conservation, etc. Geography is the scientific study of the relationship between the physical environment and human activities. Geography deals with the description of the earth's surface, the changes that occur in it, the knowledge of its various parts (land, water, and atmosphere), and the theories of its formation and change.
History: History encompasses all that has happened to humanity. History in a narrower sense can be limited to the history of a country (all that has happened in that country), or it can be limited to a group of people, an institution, a community, etc. History is more than a systematic record of events of the past, because it usually includes analysis and explanation of these events. History is the record of changes of civilizations. Projects concerning the written story of man and the development of civilizations are excellent choices. Examples include historical events and trends, wars, diplomacy, politics, religious institutions, biographies, etc.
Political Science: Political science is the scientific study of the theory and practice of humanity in organizing and controlling the power necessary for group living. Different societies have different methods of human control. The process of government can be studied by description, through comparison and classification of political data. Political science includes the art, science, and philosophy of the governmental process. Projects concerning principles, organization, and methods of government are appropriate. Examples include government agencies, constitutions, courts, international agencies, FBI, CIA, etc.
Sociology: Sociology is the study of groups and their dynamics. Group living is the result of humanity's social needs and necessitates cooperation within and between groups. Groups are constantly changing in nature and functions because personality, attitudes, motivation, and behavior of individuals both influence and are influenced by social groups. Therefore, individual adjustment to group living is constantly necessary. Projects concerning people living in groups are appropriate choices. Examples include the family, crime, mental health, lifestyles, media, drug abuse, etc. Social Studies Fair Project Checklist
RESEARCH:
• • Does the report have a cover page? (no student name)
• • Does the report have an introduction?
• • Does the report state the subject matter clearly?
• • Does the report show organization in the development of the topic?
• • Is the title appropriate for the topic/subject of the report?
• • Is the spelling and grammar correct?
• • Does the report have a conclusion?
• • Does the research show original thinking or creativity?
• • Is the topic/subject researched thoroughly? (not too broad)
• • Is there a bibliography with correct format?
VISUAL DISPLAY:
• • Does the board reflect the topic/subject of the report?
• • Is the overall appearance neat?
• • Does the display exhibit balance?
• • Has color been used effectively?
• • Are the spelling and grammar correct?
• • Does each section have a caption or label with explanation?
• • Does the display show creativity and organization in the development of the topic?
• • Is there something child-generated as part of the display as opposed to all computer-generated or Xerox copies?
ORAL PRESENTATION:
• • The student should be comfortable with the subject matter.
• • Presentation is not "reading" the display board. Students should be clear and confident.
• • The student should describe the steps used for the project.
• • The student should speak loudly and clearly.
• PRACTICE!
- YSCP Charter School
- 3020 Research Drive
- State College , PA 16801
- Phone: 814-237-9727; FAX 814-237-1517
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