Research Project - The Renaissance World
Essential Question​:
“How can research on one person, event, or trend of the world during the
European Renaissance help us understand the world of that time?”
In this project you will have your choice of topics that will help us get a better sense of what
was going on in the world during the period in Europe called “The Renaissance”. (The time
period we will investigate spans ​roughly​ from ​1400-1600 CE​.)
Project Due Date: ​Day of your Final
Period 1-5/18
Period 3-5/22
Period 5-5/22
Period 8-5/23
Assessment:
1. Three (3) ​narrative posts in your ISN​ that explain your process of research and
production during the project and what you’re learning about your topic, ​due by each
Thursday​ (5/3, 5/10, and 5/17) during the project.
2. A ​5 minute presentation​ to the class that both explains your process and responds to
the Essential Question. Your presentation will be on the day of your final.
3. A ​research bibliography​ of ​at least​ five (5) reliable sources formatted according to
MLA guidelines.
4. Contributions of useful sources and notes for other researchers to the Collaboration
Space Page in OneNote.
Goals:
1. To get better acquainted with the research process and research materials (Asking
questions that research can answer; selecting a topic; identifying, locating, and
evaluating sources; compiling and organizing information; preparing and testing
hypotheses; making arguments, citing and presenting information.)
2. To get better acquainted with the challenges of reflection, and summarizing and
communicating information in both writing and LIVE presentation.
3. To better appreciate the world of 1400-1600.
4. To recognize the ways that one’s chosen topic can connect with other research projects.
5. To learn to identify larger questions and debates relating to given research topics.
Tasks:
1. Do exploratory reading on the European Renaissance from the provided packets in
class.
2. Identify possible topics of interest.
3. Select a topic.
4. Find good, reliable sources of information.
5. Contribute short explanations of good research sources and insights to the Collaboration
space in OneNote
6. Prepare a research bibliography in MLA format to be printed and turned in on the day of
your final.
7. Organize notes and quotes – use an “according to” style to provide more information
and to avoid plagiarism.
8. Analyze information and think of visual representations: Design a visual aid(s) to assist
with your presentation.
9. On each Thursday, write a narrative personal post that tells the story of your research
from your initial questions to your discovery of sources, to your challenges of organizing
and selecting the materials to present, to your process for designing a good
presentation, to your experience of being a learner in this class.
10. Draft in writing what you will say in your presentation, including your final sense of the
topic and your ideas about the question. Think of what you will say about the the
questions you are left with at the end of the project.
11. Practice your presentation.
Questions to consider when presenting:
1. What is the broader relevance and significance of my topic?
2. How can I respond to the question?
3. What kinds of evidence are available on my topic?
4. ...
Aim for the Bullseye for this project
Possible Choices for your Topic:
People:
Johannes Gutenberg-inventor
Michelangelo-sculptor and painter
Titian-painter
Albrecht Dürer-artist
Nicolaus Copernicus-scientist
Andreas Vesalius-scientist
Raphael-painter
Isabella I-Queen of Spain
Elizabeth I-Queen of England
William Shakespeare-poet and playwright
Miguel Cervantes-writer
Leonardo da Vinci-painter, sculptor, architect, & engineer
Galileo Galilei-mathematician
Francis Bacon-philosopher
Thomas Hobbes-philosopher
Domenico da Piacenza-dancemaster
Christopher Columbus-explorer
Juan Ponce de Leon-explorer
Francis Drake-explorer
Amerigo Vespucci-explorer
Henry Hudson-explorer
Marco Polo-explorer
Fabritio Caroso-dancemaster
William Byrd-composer
Lavinia Fontana-artist
Donatello-artist
Dante-writer
The Medici Family-Rulers of Florence
Joan of Arc-heroine of France
Trends
Influence of Florence
Advances in Architecture and Engineering
Humanism
Politics
Exploration
Events
The Thirty Years War
The Scientific Revolution
Henry VIII and excommunication
Presentation:
Your presentation will be in three parts. You can choose any presentation method you’d like.
Some possible choices are PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides, Google Sites, eMaze, Haiku Deck,
Wix, Powtoon, poster, or three-panel display board. If you have another idea in mind, please
check with me to discuss.
Part 1:
Background on topic
Approximately 2 minutes (2-3 slides)
Part 2:
The impact the topic had on the world at the time
Approximately 2-3 minutes (2-4 slides)
Part 3:
What does this topic tell us about the Renaissance time period
Approximately 1-2 minutes (2-3 slides)
Your presentation should be more visual with you presenting from notecards for the content. Do
not just read your presentation to the class. Your presentation needs to be between 4 and 6
minutes, so time it ahead of time to be prepared.
Important Due Dates:
B Class (period 8)
A Classes (Periods 1, 3, & 5)
Reading Notes 27
Choose Topic
4/30
5/1
Trip Showcase
5/8
5/9
Sources
5/10
5/11
Rough Draft of Presentation
5/16
5/17
Full Project
Day of Final
Day of Final
Possible Sources
The packets available on OneNote
https://www.biographyonline.net/people/famous/renaissance.html
http://www.midrealm.org/mkyouth/links/peopleren.htm
https://learnodo-newtonic.com/famous-renaissance-people
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/renaissance-artists.php