SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR
PURPOSE
The student will:
demonstrate the use of analytical scientific
procedures in a visual and verbal presentation
by:
–
–
–
–
–
Selecting a significant topic of study
Gathering and analyzing data
Interpreting findings
Reporting conclusions
Using appropriate social studies methods and
skills
The teacher will:
use varied instructional techniques for
guiding students in understanding social
studies concepts and research methodology .
The fair will:
improve students’ skills in social studies
through
– evaluation of student work according to
established criteria, and
– communication with judges, fair
officials, and their teachers.
The fair will:
create public awareness of social studies
through
-publicity;
-displays of exhibits in public venues and
business places following the fair;
-encourage public attendance at the fair.
The fair will:
give recognition and reward students’
academic competence in social studies
through
-ribbons
-certificates
-other appropriate recognition.
QCC OBJECTIVES
Information Processing QCC’s:
Formulates questions related to topic.
 Analyzes artifacts
 Analyze interpretations of the same event from
multiple types of sources.
 Make predictions and comparisons based on factual
information
 Analyzes information from two or more sources for
agreements, contradictions, facts and opinions.
 Determines adequacy, relevancy and consistency of
information for justifying conclusions or
generalizations.

Problem Solving QCC’s:
 Identifies
and defines a problem
 Formulates possible alternatives or solutions to
a given problem.
 Collects evidence using appropriate, reliable
data.
 Chooses a reasonable solution from among the
various alternatives
 Identifies areas for further study
8th Grade additions:
 Locates
ideas in multiple types of sources-
(8)
 Takes
notes and develops outlines through
reading, listening or viewing -(8)
 Develops
and interprets charts, tables,
timelines, graphs, diagrams, and other
graphic aids- (8)
REQUIRED PARTS OF PROJECT
Research
paper
Visual
Presentation of project
(Backboard)
3-D
visual/model
Samples of completed project:
State Social Studies Fair
Competition
STEPS TO A
SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED PROJECT
STEPS TO COMPLETE:
 Choose
a topic
 Formulate question(s)
 Determine purpose
 Complete research
– Find resources
– Take notes
– Write down resources to use in bibliography
– Keep a log of what you do
 Organize research
– Write an outline
 Write
rough draft summary research paper
– Introduction
– Thesis Statement/ Purpose
– Proofread and Revise
– Draw a conclusion
 Write final draft
 Visual Presentation
– Backboard
– Create model
WHAT ARE DISCIPLINES?
DISCIPLINES
ANTHROPOLOGY
ECONOMICS
GEOGRAPHY
HISTORY
POLITICAL
SCIENCE
SOCIOLOGY
ANTHROPOLOGY
 Anthropology
is the study of human beings
from prehistory to the present.
 It includes physical development and
cultural heritage. ~
ECONOMICS
 Economics
is the study of the production,
consumption, and exchange of goods and
services.
 The way people make and sell products,
conduct business, organize labor, and
finance these activities.
 Almost anything to do with business is
economics. ~
GEOGRAPHY
Geography is the study of places on earth,
man’s utilization of raw materials and
resources.
 This includes countries, cities ..., rivers,
oceans and seas..., mountains and valleys,
deserts, etc. ~

HISTORY
 History
is all that happened to man and is a
record of the past.
 It tells the story of man from early
beginnings.
 It tells how countries were formed and
perhaps defeated...changes. ~
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political science is the study of government.
The different ways cultures...
rule and govern themselves.
defend themselves
solve environmental problems

SOCIOLOGY
 Sociology
is the study of man’s interaction
and relationship with his environment.
 It emphasizes man’s attitudes, motivation,
social needs, and behaviors. ~
CHOOSING A TOPIC...

Pick a topic that interests you. (There may be several
ideas that appeal to you. Research these topics and
pick the one that will hold your interest for several
months.)

Pick a topic that has enough information for the report
requirements.

Your goal is to decide on a topic that you find exciting
and pass along the information in the form of the
report.
WHERE TO LOOK...

Use a variety of sources:
pamphlets
 magazines
 the internet
 videos
 newspapers
 atlases
surveys
interviews

Topics related to history
may be found in
encyclopedias or other
reference books.
 The
topic may decide
where you look for
information. For
example, if the topic is
a baseball strike, then
magazines, internet, or
newspapers may be the
best choices since it is
more of a current events
topic.
NARROWING A TOPIC
 Choose
a topic that is not too broad. For
example, World War II is too large. A more
specific choice may be the Battle of the Bulge,
General George Patton, or Pearl Harbor, etc.
 Instead of sports, someone may choose a
specific idea about a sport. For example, ticket
sales, profit/loss, players/team(s), salaries, or
management would narrow the topic
somewhat. ~
THE RESEARCH PAPER
 The
report has very specific requirements.
 The body of the report can be no more than
600 words.
 4-5 double-space typed pages
 There must be a bibliography page where
sources are cited.
GATHERING AND
ANALYZING DATA
ORGANIZATION



Keep all Fair information in a folder... packet,
notes, log of time spent (diary/methodology),
and everything associated with this project.
Use notecards or a spiral to keep notes that
you take.
Write all bibliographic information for each
source. (The bibliography is title, author,
etc. of the material you are using. This is
required.) ~
TAKING NOTES
Write down only information that
is related to the topic
Write down the source
– include information needed to
complete bibliography, for
example:
» author
» publisher and date of publication
» Internet address
TAKING NOTES...
 Write
any information you find on the topic on
notecards (or spiral). Include all bibliographic
information.
 Do not write exactly what is printed in a book.
You must paraphrase (put in your own words).
If you choose to write exactly, you will need to
give credit to the author and the page found.
Don’t forget to put this on your notecard.
 You might not use all the notes taken or there
may be too little information. ~
OUTLINING
 WEBBING,
FLOW CHART, STANDARD
OUTLINE
 You may choose any one of these outlining
techniques to organize the data for the report.
 This gives you a “path” to follow to make the
report flow.
 An outline shows main idea, subtopics, and
supporting details. ~
USE GRAPHS / CHARTS TO
SHOW DATA.
INTERVIEW
 You
optional
may interview someone who has knowledge
of your topic. For example, a student may contact
a store manager to discuss profit and loss or some
other aspect of economics.
 You may interview family members for a topic
about family history.
 Be sure to cite this in the report on the credit
page. ~
SURVEYS
optional
The survey is questions you have written concerning
your topic.
 You may survey your classmates in order to gather
data about their opinions on your subject. (What is
your favorite...? How many_do you own...?
When...? Who...?Why...?)
 It may be wise to offer A...B...C...D...choices to
narrow the variety of some answers.
 You will want to graph this information (and put it
on the backboard, if you choose to do one). ~

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Credit must be given to all sources used in the
report.
 Each type of resource has its own format but
generally contain the same information such as
title, author, place of publication, publisher’s
name, date of publication.
 Sort by author’s last name in ABC order.
Underline titles of books; place quotes around
chapters. End each source with a period.
 Use the information given in the packet for the
different ways to cite resources. ~

Bibliography Sample
 Author’s
last name, first name. Title of Book. Place
of publication: Publisher’s name, date of publication.
Fradin, Dennis B. Georgia in Words and Pictures.
Chicago: Children’s Press, 1981.
WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER





Prewriting...what interests me? How can I make
it interesting to others?
First draft...write. (Editing comes later.)
Revising...make changes in first draft. Be sure
sentences are not too short or too long. Ask
someone else to read your report. Sometimes
others find things we don’t see.
Proofreading...find and edit mistakes in spelling,
grammar, and punctuation.
Final copy...may be typed or hand written in ink.
If someone else types it, a verification page is
necessary. ~
FORMAT for the RESEARCH
PAPER




Bound in a folder, notebook
Title page - name, school, etc.
Verification page (Use this if someone else types the
research paper.)
Purpose page - why you selected the topic
– What knowledge is the viewer to gain?





Methodology page - steps taken to complete report
Research - information on your topic (600 words)
Conclusion page - short summary of findings in report
Credit page (optional) - recognizing those who helped
with the report
Bibliography - list of titles, authors, etc. (in ABC order
by author’s last name)
Abstract
On a 3x5 card provide an overview of your
project to include:
– Project title
– Student’s name(s)
– Statement of the problem
– Methodology
– Conclusion(s)
BACKBOARD







The backboard displays the
data in the report.
Some information of the
report will be duplicated
Purpose
Methodology
Visuals to illustrate the topic
Pictures, charts, graphs,
maps, etc.
Conclusion
Abstract


Charts/graphs, results of
surveys, methodology
(log), conclusion, purpose,
Three dimensional objects
(MUST BE MADE)
 Objects that are
bought (horses, toy
soldiers, dolls...) are
not permitted
Backboard Layout
Statement of
Purpose
Methodology
(Also graphs, charts,
illustrations related
to the project
question/purpose)
Question or
Problem
Statement
Abstract
Conclusion
(Also graphs, charts,
illustrations related (Also graphs, charts,
illustrations related
to the project
to the project
question/purpose)
question/purpose)
MODELS (must be created by YOU!!!)
 Models
 Diagrams
 Murals
 Filmstrips
 Dioramas
 Historical
 Recordings
collections
 Video tapes
 Maps
 Slides
 Films
 Artifacts
 Graphs
 Charts
 Photographs
DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE
LAST MINUTE!
Keep on schedule. Be aware of DUE
dates.
 Work at a reasonable pace.
 Avoid panic by not waiting until the last
minute. ~

In Conclusion...
 The
social studies report is probably your
first experience with writing a formal term
paper.
 You will learn so much about the topic as
well as about yourself.
 When all is finished, you will be proud of
yourself for the hard work, the long hours,
and the good job you have done!
 Congratulations!