Name
Current Events Final Project / Presentation
This project/presentation will act as a portion of your final exam in this class. Remember that the final exam category is
worth 20% of your semester grade, so doing a thorough and comprehensive job on this project is imperative.
Throughout the semester we have explored various topics in the news, we have looked at them from a variety of points
of view, used various resources to obtain our current events, and analyzed how events affects us, or could affect us in
the future. The final project will follow a similar pattern and require you to utilize a variety of sources to create your
final project. Please follow the steps listed below (a grading rubric will be provided with the specifics related to how
your project will be assessed):
1. Sign up for a topic from the list of topics on the back of this handout. The sign-up sheet will be posted on Thursday,
November 12, 2009 after school (@ 2:17 PM) outside of our classroom. Topic sign up is first-come-first-serve basis,
so get there ASAP to ensure you get the topic of your choice.
2. After you have your topic you will need to determine the overall theme/question behind your topic (What is the
argument?) so you may begin your research. NOTE: if you cannot come up with an argument, you need to come see
me to discuss the issue.
3. Research your topic utilizing a minimum of FIVE sources. Your information must also come from a variety of sources
(Internet, magazine, newspaper, TV, radio). You MAY NOT get all your information from a single source. Be certain
that, if you use the Internet, the sources you choose are reliable. Consider using the AHS Library’s “Online
Subscription” resources.
4. All sources you use for your project must be documented and put into a bibliography using proper MLA formatting (if
you don’t know what this use your Student Calendar beginning on page 7-A). A hardcopy of this must be turned in on
the first day of presentations.
5. Using the information you find you must put together a 4-6 minute presentation about your topic that includes the
following:
a. A visual aid to accompany your presentation. The visual can be a PowerPoint presentation or a colorful
poster, but either one must be large enough for the audience to see, and have your name visible for those
taking notes. You MUST include visuals for the audience. Any electronic visuals should be placed in the class
drop box by the first day of presentations. We will not have time to open individuals’ jump drives, email, etc.
b. A brief explanation/background of your topic and the overriding question that drives your topic (what is the
debate about?). For example; “Should the death penalty be legal?” This is where you will provide a short
history of the topic (give a brief background).
c. Provide multiple perspectives on the topic (what does each side or sides think).
d. How does this issue affect the world, the United States, and you?
e. What is your opinion on the topic and why do you feel this way?
f. An open-ended question for the audience to think about and discuss.
ALL projects MUST be completed and ready to present on Tuesday, December 1st. I will ask for volunteers and then
presenters will be randomly drawn each day, SO BE READY TO PRESENT. Those who are not ready to present will be
docked a letter grade per class period.
The entire project/presentation portion of your final will be worth 100 points.
The other portion of your final exam grade will come from the notes you take while other students are presenting. On
the first day of presentations, I will provide you with a handout for this. This will be due after the last presentation,
which will occur the day of our scheduled final exam. These notes will count as a separate grade from your
presentation, and will be worth 25 points in the final exam category of your semester grade.
We will spend two class periods in the computer lab working on this project. It is expected that you also put in
considerable time outside of class to complete this project—the two class periods in the computer lab WILL NOT be
enough to do a high-quality job on this project! The computer lab dates are 11/19 and 11/24. Put these dates in your
calendar and plan accordingly.
Current Events Final Project Topic List*
AIDs epidemic in Africa
Nuclear Weapons
Teaching of evolution in schools
Racism in the U.S.
Stem cell research
Sudan (Darfur)
Teenage driving laws
Role of gov’t in relief efforts
Steroid use in sports
School uniforms
School prayer/separation of church & state
Corporate scandals (White Collar Crime)
Spread of terrorism
U.S. foreign policy (does U.S. have the right
to impose democracy on others?)
ESL classes in school
Euthanasia (Terry Schivo)
Rising medical costs/medical reforms
Identity theft
Immigration reforms
U.S. Economy/Economic stimulus
Mortgage crisis
Government’s control over monopolies
Gas prices
Teaching of creationism
Nationalization of banks
Censorship
Affirmative Action
Animal Experimentation
Welfare Reform
Global Warming/Pollution
Iran
North Korea
Renewable Energy (Green Movement)
U.S. role in Afghanistan
Alternative fuels
Political Corruption
Rising secondary education costs
School security
Random drug testing in schools
Wire tapping (Patriot Act 2001)
Gun control
Government’s rights to sell arms to countries
Cloning
National Security
Child trafficking
Overcrowding of prisons/jails
Homeless in America
Outsourcing
How to punish drunk drivers
School/campus security
Israel/Palestine conflict
Punishment of hate crimes
Smoking ban/smoking tax
Media’s Responsibility
Social Security
*If there is a topic you would like to do that is not on this list, you must see me personally to get it approved.
When you come in to get approval, you will be expected to give some background on the topic, identify what
your argument/question will be, and explain why you want to present on the topic. Failure to do these things
means approval will not be granted. Doing these things, however, does not guarantee that your topic will be
approved.
This must be done no later than 2:00 pm on November 12, 2009. If you do not meet with me by that time and
get approval, you will be required to sign-up for and present on one of the above topics.
To Do Checklist and Timeline of Target Dates
Each item has a target date which should be met. As you complete each of the items listed below, check them
off to ensure you have completed all the necessary components of this final project in a timely manner.
Item to complete
I have completed this item
1. Signed up for a topic outside of classroom
beginning after school on Thursday, November 12th.
Target Date: Wednesday, November 18th
2. Determined a theme/overall argument for my
presentation.
Target Date: Tuesday, November 24th
3. I have researched the topic using 5 diverse and
reliable sources.
Target Date: Thursday, November 26th
4. All sources have utilized have been put into a
“Works Cited.”
Target Date: Thursday, November 26th
5. I have rehearsed and timed my speech to ensure it
is within the 4 to 6 minute required timeframe *
6. I have created a visual aid that is large enough for
the entire audience to see and have put it in the
drop box, if necessary.*
7. I have a brief overview of my topic and a driving
question/argument and background information.*
8. I have provided a multitude of perspectives on my
topic. *
9. I discuss how the issue affects the world, the U.S.,
and me personally. *
10. I explain my opinion on the issue and why I feel this
way.*
11. I have created an open-ended question for my
audience to think about and possibly discuss. *
*These items are all due on the first day of presentations (Tuesday, 12/1)
Presenter’s Name
Topic
Period
Current Events Final Project Grading Rubric
Visual Aid (15 Points): Creatively put together, colorful, includes visual aids, easy for audience to
see. Clearly displays your name for note takers.
Brief Explanation & Overriding Question (10 Points): Presenter provided brief background on topic
and had a driving question about topic.
Multiple Perspectives Provided (20 Points): Presenter explained both sides of the argument equally,
topic was well researched and accurate.
What Effect Does this Issue Have (10 Points): Presenter explains how the issue effects the world
and/or the United States, and the speaker.
What is the Speaker’s Opinion & Why (10 Point): Presenter explains what their opinion on the
subject is and why they feel that way.
Open-Ended Question (5 Points): Presenter provides the audience with an open-ended question
about the topic that they can think about and discuss.
Bibliography (10 Points): A minimum of five diverse sources included & presenter correctly put into
MLA format (This must be given to Ms. Levi in hardcopy form when you present).
Presentation (20 Points):
Speaker maintained eye-contact (4 Points)
Limited use of “fillers” (4 Points)
Good volume (4 Points)
Enthusiasm (4 Points)
Evidence of rehearsal (4 Points)
Additional Comments:
Total Project Score
/100