Riverdale Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Social Studies Fair Packet
7th & 8th grade projects due Monday, February 29, 2016 before homeroom in new library.
There will be no projects accepted late. If a student is absent from school on 2/29, someone must bring
the project to school before 12 noon on 2/19 for the student to receive credit. Judging begins at 12:30.
Purpose of the Social Studies Fair: The Social Studies Fair is an opportunity for students to conduct
research on a current or historical topic to share their findings with the school. Riverdale Middle is an IB school
focused on project based learning. A social studies fair project meets this objective. All honors students must
participate in the Social Studies Fair to maintain honors credit.
Topic: Students may choose a topic of his /her choice with approval from the teacher. Students may NOT
complete a project on a topic which he/she already submitted in an earlier grade. The topic must be inquiry
based and the title must be in the form of a question.
Categories:
Anthropology - The scientific study of human beings from prehistory to contemporary societies. It includes all
aspects of human development, both physical and cultural.
Economics - The scientific study of the production and exchange of goods and services.
Geography - The study Earth’s surface, the utilization of raw materials and resources, and human behavior as it
is influenced by location and other geographic factors.
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, and
institution, a community, etc.
Political Science - The scientific study of the theory and practice of humanity in organizing and controlling the
power necessary for group living.
Sociology - Group living is the result of humanity's social needs and necessitates cooperation within and
between groups.
Technology – The application of tools and methods: the study, development, and application of devices,
machines, and techniques for manufacturing and productive processes.
The following topics are overly used or inappropriate; therefore they CANNOT be used for the Social
Studies Fair.
Overly Used Topics - Louisiana Wetlands, Hurricane Katrina, Haunted Houses, Haunted New Orleans,
Voodoo, Plantations, Mummies, King Tut, Pyramids, Titanic, Mardi Gras, Video Games, The Homeless,
Smoking, Chocolate, Greek Gods, Eifel Tower, Sports (history of baseball, basketball, etc.), Olympics, Salem
Witch Trials, Great Wall of China, Volcanoes, Disney, Holocaust, September 11th
Inappropriate Topics – Gangs, Abortions, Skulls, Guns, Suicide
Parts of the Project: The project will consist of three parts:
1. Research paper worth two test grades
2. Backboard worth one test grade
3. Oral presentation worth one test grade.
Rubrics for each part of the project are attached to this packet.
There will be NO models as part of the Social Studies Fair!
Research Paper: Each student is required to complete a well-developed research paper consisting of a title
page, abstract, body, conclusion, and bibliography. Paper must be in a cover. (No table of content needed.)
Plagiarism – Riverdale Middle School forbids plagiarism. Plagiarism is an act of fraud that involves stealing
someone else’s work. If a student plagiaries his / her paper, he /she will automatically receive two 0 / F’s.
Title Page – Expresses topic student intends to research. Topic must be in the form of a question. There should
be a picture on title page. No name on paper!
Abstract - This is a brief summary of the content and the purpose of the project. The abstract should be no
more than 250 words. Information about the reference sources used may be included in the abstract. Abstract is
on a separate piece of paper from any other part of paper.
Body of Research – 7th and 8th Grade papers should be a minimum of three pages long using the handout
attached to packet called “Following the Bubbles.” Paper must be typed using MLA format. The one thing you
will omit from MLA format is the heading and your last name on pages.
One inch margins all side, Times New Roman font size 12. If you do not understand this ask for help. The
website below has detailed instructions for MLA format.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Conclusion – The conclusion should briefly describe the knowledge gained by the student from the project. It
should consist of one to two paragraphs on a piece of paper separate from any other part of the paper.
Bibliography – Student must have at least five sources. At least two must be books. Sources must be typed
using MLA format. All sources must be placed in alphabetical order. The website below will help you with your
bibliography. http://www.easybib.com/
Backboard – Students should use a large tri-fold board dimensions 36"x48". Backboard should have a
variety of different visual aids including the following if applicable: charts, graphs, pictures, maps, etc. Be sure
to label the items on the board. Board should also have a border and title. Research paper or any of its parts are
NOT to be placed on the backboard. Student’s name can be nowhere on backboard or paper.
Oral Presentation - Presentation must be at least 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes long. Write a script
and practice before coming to class. Oral presentation should consist of:
•
Title of project, short summary of your abstract, summary of your research, and a short summary of your
conclusion
Wiki – This packet will be posted on the Wiki. If there are any questions, please contact your social studies
teacher.
Riverdale Middle School Social Studies Fair 7th & 8th Grade Research Paper Rubric
Title Page – Visually appealing with at least one picture and cover, no name
10 points __________
Abstract – Gives precise summary of content and purpose of project,
information about references complete
30 points ___________
Body of Research Mechanics – minimum 3 pages long,
uses “Follow the Bubbles” Handout
30 points ____________
Body of Research – Evaluative, answers research question put forth in title
50 points ___________
Conclusion – Gives precise summary of material learned through project
30 points ___________
Bibliography – At least five sources with two of them being books
30 points ___________
MLA Format used; overall paper shows effort and pride in work.
20 points ___________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Total 200 points
Riverdale Middle School Social Studies Fair Backboard Rubric
Backboard reflects the main ideas of the abstract
and research paper.
25 points
Backboard is informative and contains a variety of
accurately labeled visuals.
25 points
________
Backboard is neatly and creatively presented
with a border and easy to read title.
25 points
________
________
Overall project shows effort and pride in work.
25 points
_______
______________________________________________________________________________
Total 100 points
Riverdale Middle School Social Studies Fair Oral Presentation Rubric
Volume – Speaks clearly and distinctly with no mispronounced words,
loud enough to be heard by entire class
20 points ___________
Enthusiasm – Displays great passion and vitality for the presented work
20 points ___________
Comprehension – Superior display of understanding of topic
20 points ___________
Highlights Essential Points – Includes information from abstract,
body of research, and conclusion
20 points ___________
Question and Answer Period – Questions answered completely and
with details
10 points ___________
Preparation and Time – Shows preparation done ahead of presentation,
10 points ___________
at least 2 minutes long
______________________________________________________________________________________
Total 100 points
Riverdale Middle School Social Studies Fair Timeline
Topic Selection ………………………………………. Monday, January 25th
Bibliography and Abstract Due ………………………Tuesday, February 2nd or Wednesday, February 3rd
Rough Draft………………………………………Tuesday, February 16th or Wednesday, February 17th
School Wide Fair for 7th and 8th Grade …………….….………………Monday, February 29th
(Students must bring a hard copy of their paper with ALL elements to the fair as well as backboard!!)
Oral Presentation will begin on …………………………Tuesday, March 1st or Wednesday, March 2nd
(Some will be done each day over several class periods.)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
My signature below verifies I have read the Social Studies Fair packet and the timeline. I also understand that
failure to complete the project will result in the loss of honors credit.
There will be no projects accepted late. If a student is absent from school on 2/29, someone must bring
the project to school before 12 noon for the student to receive credit.
Student Name ________________________________________
Social Studies Fair Topic _______________________________________________________________
Topic must be in the form of a question.
____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
______________________
Date
This form must be signed and returned by Monday, January 25th or
a detention will be issued.