Project Options
Option #1: Architecture
Step 1: Identify at least 3 important architectural structures from each of the following civilizations: Greece,
Rome, China, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, United States, Australia, France, Spain, Austria,
Germany, Scotland, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina.
Step 2: Research at least 10 kinds of architectural design and draw diagrams of major elements such as turrets,
spires, casings, balconies, etc.
Step 3: Of the architectural structures in step 1, choose 5 that are the most interesting to you and identify their
main purpose and why they are important.
Step 4: Of those 5, choose 1 that you would like to make a modern day equivalent. It needs to serve a similar
purpose, maintain its importance to the people, but reflect the customs and needs of modern day people.
Step 5: Research how to create architectural blueprints.
Step 6: Using similar techniques and symbols, create detailed architectural plans to scale of a modern version of
the structure you picked in step 4.
Step 7: Do your best work and make sure everything is neatly drawn and labeled—use graph paper, rulers, and
expect to complete more than one draft.
Important: I am going to try and find a real architect who can review your plans and provide feedback!
Option #2: Power Structure Diagrams
Step 1: Choose 20-25 modern day countries in the modern world
Step 2: Conduct research about their governments and how they operate. Take note of any governing bodies
and checks and balances that may be present. Also note the number of people involved and how power is
distributed among citizens.
Step 3: Create a diagram illustrating the power structure of each of these governments and reflect on how that
affects the daily lives of citizens who live there.
Step 4: Using the information in the power structures, imagine you are at a world conference where
representatives from these countries are all present. You have a proposal you would like them to support (you
choose a proposal that you believe in and would want to persuade world leaders to follow). Write a detailed
strategy of how you would like to present this proposal to the entire conference and identify individual ways in
which this proposal is likely to appeal to or be rejected by each of the attending countries.
Important: I am going to try and find a real lawyer (expert in negotiation) who can review your plan and
provide feedback!
Option #3: Military Strategy
Step 1: Choose 5-7 major conflicts that have occurred throughout history
Step 2: Identify at least 12 strategies that their military forces employed in order to gain victory or success over
their opponent for each of the 5-7 major conflicts.
Step 3: Choose 3 pivotal battles from each conflict and create detailed diagrams of troop movements during the
battle and explain why you think those strategies were successful or not.
Step 4: Write each strategy identified in step 1 on a 3X5 notecard, fold it up and put it in a jar or bowl. Write
the terrain for each battle on another set of 3X5 cards, fold these up and place them in another jar or bowl. For
the last set of 3X5 notecards, write different types of military forces, fold them up and put them in a jar or bowl.
Step 5: For the first battle, draw 4 strategies, 2-3 types of terrain, and 4 types of military forces for each of the
combatants. Using these factors, stage the battle and draw a diagram of what you think each side should do in
order to be victorious. Then write your conclusion of who you think would win in such a conflict and support
your conclusion with solid evidence from your research.
Step 6: Repeat this process twice more until you have at least 3 staged battles under very different
circumstances.
Important: I am going to try and find a real military expert who can review your plan and provide
feedback!
Option #4: Entertainment
Step 1: Identify at least 7 different forms of entertainment from the following cultures: Greeks, Romans,
Chines, Japanese, Egyptians, Vietnamese, Koreans, Americans, Russians, Australians, Scandinavians, and
Brazilians.
Step 2: For each of these 7 forms of entertainment, identify the major features of each. Be sure to include
details that describe the structure and form of the entertainment.
Step 3: Of these 7 forms of entertainment, select one to write a script of. Use as many of the features as
possible and make your script as authentic as possible.
Important: I am going to try and find a history professor who would be willing to review your script and
provide feedback. Be prepared to draft and revise multiple times.
Option #5: Create a Documentary
Step 1: Choose a major conflict that you have not researched previously (i.e. The Prussian War?)
Step 2: Conduct research and make a timeline with all of the major events and leaders involved in that conflict
Step 3: Write a narration that explains the conflict in a logical sequence, with important details the average
person would be interested in. Be sure to review your word choice and make sure you explain new and
unfamiliar terms the reader may never have seen before. Try to do this in subtle ways that are not repetitive in
nature.
Step 4: Have at least 3 different people read and edit your narration. Have them pay particular attention to any
confusing or unfamiliar portions so that your narration can be as clear and intriguing as possible.
Step 5: Record yourself reading your narration and turn in your recording with a final draft of your narration.
Important: I am going to try and find a radio, theater, or film expert who would be willing to listen/read
the narration and provide feedback.
Option #6: 3D Web of Similarities and Differences
Step 1: Choose 20-25 countries around the world
Step 2: Conduct research about 5 aspects of each of these countries (i.e. government, culture, geography, etc.)
Step 3: Get 2 large pieces of cardboard or presentation board and draw a map of the world on both
Step 4: Using brads or pins, create a 3D web of string with labels identifying any similarities the cultures have
in common
Step 5: Using brads or pins, create a 3D web of string with labels identifying any differences the cultures have
in common
Alternate: You can also create one map and use 2 different colors of string to designate similarities and
differences.
Step 6: Plan a presentation that highlights these similarities and differences and shares the most interesting facts
with the class.
Option #7: City Design
Step 1: Research maps of 7-8 major city centers and draw a diagram of each showing the important services,
monuments, and transportation that are available.
Step 2: Analyze the strong and weak points of each design and at least 3 ways in which the city plan could be
improved. Be sure to include solid reasons as to why the improvements would be helpful for the citizens and
operation of the city.
Step 3: Applying the information you have learned, pick a remote location and design your own city center
from scratch. Be sure to take into account how the geography of the area would affect life for its citizens.
Draw a detailed diagram with all the pertinent details for the city center.
Step 4: Write a 1-2 page explanation describing why you included certain features, how they help the operation
of the city, and benefit the citizens. Note any weaknesses or flaws you are aware of.
Important: I am going to try and find a city planner who would review your plans and provide feedback
on your design.