Deciding a Project Topic:Deciding a Project Topic:

Being Prepared for your Being Prepared for your Adventure!Adventure!

Megan Wood, State Coordinator, National History Day in OhioMegan Wood, State Coordinator, National History Day in Ohio

IntroductionsIntroductions

•Who are you?

•Where are you from?

•What brings you here?

AgendaAgenda

•Working as a Team

•The Business of Congressional Academy

•Choosing a Topic

Working as a TeamWorking as a Team

•Deciding roles

•Accountability to the team

•Resolving conflict

•Being committed to the cause

Fill out Group Work Contract

• What are you interested in?

• Are there resources available?

• Is it a narrow topic?

• Can you develop a research question?

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

Example 1:

Eddie Rickenbacker was born in Columbus, OH on October 8, 1890 and he grew up liking machines. In 1910 he started racing cars. He joined the U.S. Army during World War I. After the war he started an automobile company that was financially unsuccessful. He worked for the military during World War II and was almost killed in a plane crash. He died on July 27, 1973.

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

Example 2:

Ohioan Eddie Rickenbacker served his country during both World Wars, worked as a race car driver, and worked to advance the technology of the automobile industry. Rickenbacker started his own car company after World War I where the braking system would work on all four tires. While the company failed, his idea spread so that eventually, all cars had four-wheel braking systems.

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

Broad Vs. Narrow

BROADNARROW

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

Research Question:

What do you want to know about your topic?

Refines and defines your research.

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

How did ________ impact/change/effect _______?

Def. Impact:

3.influence; effect: the impact of Einstein on modern physics.

5.the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology: the impact of the industrial revolution.

1. Talk about at your broad topic

2. Use the chart to make it a narrow topic

3. Come up with a research question

4. Pick a spokesperson

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

Choosing Your TopicChoosing Your Topic

The Business of It AllThe Business of It All

Time Management

To accomplish:-Topic Selection/Research Question-Research-Project Creation-Public Presentation-Budget Tracking-Reporting--What else?What else?

Factors to consider:-School-Sports-Testing-Procrastination-Holidays-Life

Keep your final deadline in mind!

The Business of It AllThe Business of It All

My Advice:

•Make it easy on yourself- identify available local resources•Don’t get carried away with the details until you have a grasp on the research•If a project isn’t working out, don’t be afraid to move on to another topic.•Think narrow!•Illuminate a new and interesting story•Make sure to examine HISTORY not CURRENT EVENTS•Be creative- creativity is cheap and easy!•Make deadlines NOW that you intend to honor•Do a lot of work early on- it helps avoid the last minute rush•Listen to Becki- she’s been there, she’s the boss!

Questions?

Contact Info:

Megan Wood

mwood@ohiohistory.org

(find me there on facebook)

614.297.2343

www.slideshare.net/meganwood