How To Do
Social Studies Project
Fairs
School level
At your school
Regional Social Studies Fair!
Burton Coliseum
Lake Charles, Louisiana TBA
State Social Studies Fair
Burton Coliseum
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Fees for Region V
An entry of fee for each project is required to help cover the
expenses of the Fair.
o Each school’s entry forms and fees must be sent together.
o School checks are to be made payable to "Region V Social
Studies Fair."
o Application Forms not accompanied by the appropriate fee will
be considered for entry only after the correct fee is paid.
o Any fee that is paid is not refundable.
o No late entries will be accepted without a penalty fee of $12.00
per project.
Mail to: Dr. Dale B. Schanz, 2899 Con Dios Lane, Sulphur, LA
70663. The fee for Region V Social Studies Fair is $12.00 per
project.
Social Studies State Fair
Those individual/group projects placing first and
second in their respective divisions and disciplines at
Region V Fair will qualify for the state fair. Only state
fair applications submitted through the Region Fair
Director will be accepted for state-level competition.
Students with winning projects in the history
discipline may be invited to participate in the National
History Day Program. Eligible students will be given
information about the program at the state fair.
Students will be invited, but not required to
participate in a voluntary National History
Day Program.
Divisions
Division I
Division II
Division III
Grades 4 & 5
Individual & groups
Grades 6-8
Individual & groups
Grades 9-12
Individual & groups
Individual Projects are projects completed by an individual student without any
assistance from other students.
Group projects are those projects completed by two or more students in the same
division. Only one of the students will be the speaker for project at the fair.
Disciplines
Anthropology
Economics
Sociology
Geography
History
Louisiana History
Political Science
Topic and Information
I. How to Pick a topic?
A. Find something you are interested in.
B. Find the latest and hottest thing on the news.
C. Find things that are effecting kids at your age.
D. Find a true story that you like from a magazine,
book, movies, or on television.
E. Find what kids are doing today.
G. Look into your culture or other cultures.
H. Look into your religion.
II. Where you can get ideas and information for a topic from?
A. Magazines
H. Internet
B. Books
I. Places you have been to
C. Movies
J. Brochures
D. Television
E. Teachers
F. People
G. Newspapers
Research Paper
The research paper can be written or typed in Division I and II.
In Division III, it must be typed. Put your research paper in a folder or
binder.
Research papers are required to have at least 8 typed or 10 handwritten
pages or more.
This includes the following:
***Title Page (one page)
***Table of Contents (one page)
***Abstract (one page)
***Body (at least three typed or five written pages)
***Conclusion (one page)
***Bibliography (one page but can be more).
Sometimes these requirements can vary or change. Check with your
teacher or Fair Coordinator to see what is expected at your school
Title Page
The "Title Page" is the first page of your
research paper. Use creative ideas to decorate
this page. Make sure the title is readily
visible. Do not put your name or your school
name on this page. Also, there is no number
for this page.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Abstract--------------------------------1
II. Body----------------------------------2-5
III. Conclusion-----------------------------6
IV. Bibliography---------------------------7
Abstract
Abstract is a real outline of your project. You have to label "Abstract" at the top of the page. It is
the first numbered page and only one page long. It consists of three paragraphs:
*** introduction
*** method and materials
*** short summary of your research.
__________________The first paragraph is your introduction. Introduction is telling the title of
your project. Why did you choose this topic? How did you go about choosing this topic? Why were
you interested in this project? The second paragraph is the method and materials.
__________________Method is the second paragraph where you explain how you went about
getting your information. Where did you go to collect your information? Example I used the
university, public and my school library. Things you used to find your information. Example I used
books, magazines, newspapers, articles, television, a video movie, and the worldwide web to find
information on my topic. Did you write any letters? Who did you write to? Did you do surveys? Did
you take photos? Did you use a camera or video camera? Materials are the supplies you used to
complete your project? How much time it took you to complete your project?
__________________ In the third paragraph is where you write a short summary of your report.
Give just enough information to interest your judge.
Body
Body of the report is the “meat” of the research paper.
This is the MAJOR section of your research. Here, you
organize all your information in written form. This is
where you tell: who, why, what, when, which, where,
and what if? You have to have written at least 250
words (can be longer). You should have three or more
typed pages or five handwritten pages. These pages
are not labeled but need to number these pages. Make
sure your report makes sense. Check your grammar
and spelling. The longer your report is the better
chance you have in winning.
Conclusion
Conclusion is where you tie all the loose ends
together. After all the research and investigation,
what did you conclude? What did you learned by
doing this project? What do you think you can
learn by this project? What can others learn from
reading, seeing, and listening to this project? Take
time to thank anyone that gave his or her time
and helped in this project. The conclusion is only
two paragraphs on one page but can be longer.
You have to label "Conclusion" on the top of the
page. Remember to number this page.
Bibliography
Bibliography is a list of the resources you used in getting
your information for your research. They are: books,
encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases, diaries,
journals, newspapers, magazines, bulletins, pamphlets,
television shows, movies, videos, and interviews. Go on
the internet and type in bibliography. Click on one of the
websites. It will give the directions and examples on how
to do a bibliography. Remember to number this page or
pages. Make sure you label “Bibliography” on top of the
first page of your bibliography.
Speech
A 3 minute speech needs to be
made on the project. Also be
prepared to answer questions
from the judges.
Project Display
The display is the physical
representation of your topic
using a backboard and
bottom board.
Backboard
Backboard
It cannot be higher than 8’ tall and weigh more
than 100 lbs. It should have three sections. The
two sides sections cannot be wider than 30" and
the middle section cannot be wider then 36". The
board can be smaller. Your backboard has
information about your projects.
Can not have your name or your school name on
it. Do not use your school colors on it.
Backboard has to have a border around it.
Back everything with color paper.
Backboard has to have your Title.
Things you can include on your backboard are:
Charts Documentaries Statistical analysis
Murals Diagrams
Photographs
Maps Graphs
Surveys
Bottom board
Bottom board
It cannot be bigger the 36" wide X 30"deep. It
can be smaller. This is your display board.
Bottom board has to have a physical model.
Be creative, make your own figures from
available materials or handmade items. You
can use modeling clay, paper, wood or a kit to
make your figures.
Size and Weight of the Display
Project Examples
Footnotes/Endnotes
Footnotes/Endnotes is included (labeled at
the top of the page) (required for Division III
projects, option for Division I and Division II
Check-Off List
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Research paper is not attached to the backboard.
Title page is included(not label as such)
Table of Contents is included(labeled at the top of the page, separate page)
Abstract is included(labeled at the top of the page and number the page, separate page)
Body of Research is included(pages are not labeled but numbered)
Conclusion is included(labeled at the top of the page and number the page)
Footnotes/Endnotes is included (labeled at the top of the page) (required for Division III
projects, optional for Division I and Division II)
Bibliography is included(labeled at the top of the page and number the page or pages)
The research paper is typed(required for Division III, optional for Division I and Division II)
Minimum 100ft. Extension cord if needed for project and bring duct tape to tape it down.
Please let the director know if your project need electric on your entry form.
This project, as is, has not , nor will be entered into any other type of fair( i. e. Science, Home
Economics, Industrial Arts) other then a social studies fair
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Oral presentation has been prepared for defending the project (3minutes). Two minutes
additional for judges’ questions.
This project conforms to the maximum space allotment of 36” wide, 30” deep, 8”high, and
not over 100lbs. (these figures are maximums, project maybe smaller)
The entrant’s name, school, home town, or other identifying information is not visible
anywhere on the project or research paper.
No live animals, embryos, fetuses, or archaeological items are exhibited on the project.
Only one student is permitted to defend and be present on the floor for judging of group
projects.
If my project deals with archeology, I am aware of state regulations governing this topic.
Parents or an Adult
Parents or an adult can help and guide the
student on his or her project.
Requirements and Fees can Change
Sometimes these requirements and fees can
vary or change. Check with your teacher or
Fair Coordinator to see what is expected at
your school each year.
Region V Director
• Region V Fair Director
Dr. Dale B. Schanz
2899 Con Dios Lane
Sulphur, LA 70663
(337) 527-6979
djschanz@aol.com
Also:
1618 Mill Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337)217-4200, ext. 2708
dale.schanz@cpsb.org
AWARDS
The following awards will be presented to winners:
Plaque for Grand Prize in each division - individual
Plaque for Grand Prize in each division – group*
Plaque for Grand Prize Runner-Up in each division – individual
Plaque for Grand Prize Runner-Up in each division –group*
Ribbons for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th place in each discipline – Individual & Group
Trophy for the school in each grade-level division with the greatest number of
1st & 2nd place winners
Trophy for an outstanding project in the economics discipline – ARH Trophy
Trophy for an outstanding project in the anthropology discipline – Dorothy "Fritz"
Schrumpf Award
Trophy for an outstanding project in the political science discipline – Louis P. "Neg"
Beglis Award
Special topic awards may be presented
Southwest Louisiana Historical Society Awards may be awarded.
Other information:
A. All group plaques and trophies will be presented to the sponsoring teacher or school.
B. Entrants are not to wear school uniforms or other identifying clothing.
C. Judges evaluation forms will NOT be made public following the Region V Fair
conclusion. Decisions of judges are final and not subject to review or appeal.
D. Late entries after the due date will have to pay an additional processing fee of $12.00, in order to
enter the Fair.
GOOD LUCK
AND
HAVE FUN