The Video Project 2011

The 5th Six Week's Period Project is The Video Project.  This has been a very rewarding project for students in the past.  They are able to choose a topic and present to the class in video format.

Students have the option of creating a video file from Photo Story or Movie Maker. Windows Movie Maker and Photostory are loaded on every computer in the school. Photo Story is a free download from this site: Photostory 3 for Windows


The grade will consist of 30 points for the video, 40 points for an essay/sources, and 30 points for a presentation.

The Rubrics are here:
Video Rubric
Essay for Video Project Rubric


Students must also use a works cited or bibliography of 5 sources. The score for the bibliography will be recorded within the essay grade. So students will place their works cited page at the end of their essay. There must also be at least 5 text slides within their video depicting their topic.

Check out 2009's projects here:  VideoProject09.Blogspot.com
Check out 2007-2008's incredible Digital Project Videos at this link:
Africa, The Environment, and The Modern World Videos

Possible Topics:
Africa
The Africa project is an opportunity for students to learn more about the very complex continent. From its diverse eco-systems to its kaleidoscope of cultures, Africa offers a wealth of valuable learning opportunities.

The project will focus on bringing to light the most difficult issues of life in Africa and it's history. There are also some project choices that are designed to show what the world is doing to help and give hope to the African continent. Students will research to find answers to key questions and they will share with the class their findings.

The Environment:
From the United States government website the definition of Earth Day is Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.

Through these projects students will learn what is being done around the world to protect the planet for future generations.



The Modern World
In World History class we cover material up and through the second World War. During the fifth six week's period we open a chance for students to learn more about the modern world in a project.

This project gives students a chance to choose from a variety of events that occurred after 1945.

The Video Project


Africa - Possible Topics
GROUP 1
Rwanda: HUTU VS TUTSI "The Rwandan Genocide"
Possible Ideas:
Where are they?
When did this occur?
What was the problem—why were they fighting?
If the people flee, where do they go?
Who colonized the area? What do they have to do with the fighting?
How are the Hutu and Tutsi different from one another?
Why should anyone care about it?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography


GROUP 2
DEFORESTATION IN AFRICA
Possible Ideas:
Where is it taking place?
How fast is it taking place?
Why is it taking place?
What are the possible effects on people, land, animals and the environment as a whole?
Can it be stopped?
Should it be stopped?
Who can stop it?
Why should anyone care if deforestation is happening?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography


GROUP 3
ENDANGERED SPECIES & POACHING IN AFRICA
Possible Ideas:
What animals or animals?
Where are they?
Why are they becoming extinct?
What can be done about it?
Why should people care?
What are the benefits of poaching for a country?
What are the downsides of poaching?
Why should anyone care if there is poaching?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography


GROUP 4
DIAMOND TRADE
Possible Ideas:
Where is it taking place?
Who is mining the diamonds?
Why do they call them "Blood Diamonds?"
Why are they fighting?
What is happening to the people mining the diamonds?
How much money do they make?
Is a diamond really worth as much as it sells for?
Who is really making the money?
Why should people care about the diamond trade?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography


GROUP 5
GENOCIDE IN DARFUR SUDAN
Possible Ideas:
What is genocide?
Why is it happening?
Who is doing it?
Who is getting hurt?
Who is trying to stop it?
Where are the refugees going?
What are the people like in Sudan?
What are the major problems of Sudan?
Why should people care?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography


GROUP 6
STARVATION IN THE AFRICAN HORN
Possible Ideas:
Where is the African Horn?
Why are people starving?
Why don’t they just move?
What is the climate like?
Why don’t they grow more food?
Why do people keep having more babies?
Who is helping?
Why should anyone care?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography

GROUP 7
(PRODUCT) RED, LIVE AID, & LIVE 8
Possible Ideas:
How do do/did these programs work?
What were the goals?
Did the programs reach their goals?
How does charity, benefits and programs like these help the people of Africa?
How can business and companies around the world help to support Africa?
What is the importance of trade on African countries?
What companies are involved in (Product)Red? How does it fund aide to Africa?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the world do to help? How are current charitable benefits contributing to the relief and support for the peoples of Africa? What more can be done?

GROUP 8
AIDS
Possible Ideas:
What is AIDS?
Where did it come from?
Why is AIDS such a big deal in Africa?
Do the people get medication?
Why is it spreading at such an alarming rate?
Why don’t the people use protection?
What is being done to stop it?
Who is helping those with the disease?
Why aren’t more countries helping?
Why aren’t the people educated about the disease?
Why should you care if people have AIDS in Africa?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography


GROUP 9
APARTHEID
Possible Ideas:
What is apartheid?
Where did it happen?
Why did it happen?
How could it happen?
How long ago did it happen?
Who ended it?
How were people treated?
Why wasn’t there a revolution earlier?
Why did people care about Apartheid—or did they care about it?
MUST INCLUDE: What did the US do, what are they doing now and/or what are they going to do? Do you think the US did or is doing the right thing?
At least 5 pictures.
Bibliography


The Environment - Possible Topics
1. Earth Day
What is Earth Day? When does it happen annually? What year did it begin? Why are there two Earth Days? What events are planned for this year to celebrate Earth Day? Why is the day celebrated? What are the goals of organizers?

2. Global Warming and Climate Change
What is Global Warming? What are the causes? What is the greenhouse effect? What is the relationship to Ozone depletion? What is the cause of recent global temperature increase? What are scientists claiming to be the cures for global warming? How can it be slowed or halted? What small things can be done by individuals to help? What is the "cap and trade" approach to solving emission problems? What is the Kyoto Protocol? Why did the US decide not to join?

3. Future Cars
What are the types of hybrid cars that consumers can currently purchase? How do they work? Do hybrid cars need to be plugged in? Do hybrid cards go slower or perform more sluggishly than their all-gas counterparts? What do hybrid cars look like today? Explain the advantages and drawbacks to future technologies to propel our cars: hybrid (gas/electric), hydrogen, ethanol-bio diesel, solar, and even air cars. Would you drive a 'future car'? Should governments mandate that gas mileage rates improve? Should governments mandate/fund future car initiatives?

4. Alternative Energy
Possible choices to explain their possiblities: Clean burning coal, Nuclear power, Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Ocean thermal energy conversion, Wave power, Bioenergy, ethanol, hydrogen. How does your electric company produce the power that you use in your home? What is energy deregulation and explain how it has worked in Houston? How do these non-carbon producing energy sources work and which are considered most feasible for future use? Research energy companies that produce their electricity through green sources (like wind, solar, and geothermal). Are they more expensive? What will our future homes be like in regards to our power and electricity needs?

5. 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
How does recycling work? What products can be recycled? Is there recycling in your neighborhood? Where does your garbage go? Is it worth the cost of recycling to go through the trouble? What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks? Explain the techniques used to recycle. How can average households practice the 3 R's?

6. Air Quality
How does the United States measure air quality? Which cities have the worst air quality? Which have the best? What factors determine the quality of air? What kinds of medical conditions can be caused by poor air quality? What is SMOG? How are cities & national governments working to prevent SMOG and poor air quality? Are citizens prone to breathing conditions (like asthma) because of the quality of their air? What is Houston's reputation as a city in regards to it's air quality?

7. Water Quality
What effects do oil spills, ship pollution, and surface runoff have on our seas and oceans? What kinds of waterborne diseases are spread through poor water quality around the world? What agency in the United States protects and regulates contaminants in the public water system? What about bottled water? What effects the quality of drinking water in the United States and why does it vary so much depending on community? What effect does over population play in the amount of available safe drinking water for the Earth's residents? Who tests our water? What is in our drinking water? Where does your area's drinking water come from?


The Modern World - Possible Topics
1. Cold War
Who fought in the Cold War? Who won the Cold War? How many battles were fought? What is MAD - Mutually Assured Destruction? What is a Super Power? Explain the two types of government that were at odds in a bipolar superpower world. What events ended the Cold War? What was the impact of the Cold War on present day events?

2. Vietnam War
When was the Vietnam War fought? What countries were involved? Who won the war? How many lives were lost? What was Agent Orange (a chemical defoliant) and how was it used? What was the Tet Offensive and how did it change American involvement in the war? What did Americans learn from the War? Why do some people compare the current war in Iraq to the struggle in Vietnam?

3. Cuban Missile Crisis
When did this occur? What were the nations involved and who were their leaders? How did the "Bay of Pigs Invasion" lead to the crisis? What was the U-2? How did the "quarantine" or blockade function? Explain the importance of telegrams to the crisis. How close were the two sides to an all out nuclear war?

4. JFK Assassination
Where did it take place? What commission conducted the official investigation and what was their findings? Why was the result controversial to some people? Explain the possible conspiracy theories. What was the HSCA's controversial Dictabelt evidence? What were the similarities to other presidential deaths while in office? How did America respond to the loss of President Kennedy? How is JFK remembered as a President in history?

5. Civil Rights Movement in the US
When did they occur? Who were the leaders and heroes? How did the work of The Black Panther Party, Young Lords, the Weatherman and the Brown Berets differ from the tactics of earlier Civil Rights groups? What legislative and judicial decisions gave legal rights to African-Americans? What is the impact today of the Civil Rights Movement?

6. Chernobyl Disaster
Where is this city? What disaster happened here? How many people lived there before the accident? How many people died "officially"? What were the causes of the accident? What were the effects of the disaster? What have been the long-term health risks for the people of the areas surrounding Chernobyl? How did it effect the environment? What are the consequences of further collapse and problems on the site? As scientists monitor radiation levels and contamination on the site, how do they explain the abundance of animal and plant life?

7. Iraq Wars - Gulf War (1990-1991) & Iraq War (2003-present)
What were the conditions behind the first Gulf War and the Second? What countries were involved? How did the first and second wars differ? What was "Shock and Awe?" How did conditions change for American troops after the invasion of Iraq began an occupation? List the advantages of American involvement in Iraq for the people of Iraq. List the disadvantages. What are insurgents? Explain why some believe Iraq is in a civil war between religious combatants. What is the surge? How does the President think the surge will help end the present Iraq War? What are the names and beliefs of the different Islamic groups in Iraq? Why are they fighting?

8. September 11, 2001 Attacks
Who were the terrorists? What was their plan? Explain the destination and success of the three attacks. List other potential plots that have been uncovered that did not occur on 911. Explain the motive of the attackers. What was the reaction of the United States and the World? What have been the long-term economic and potential health effects? Explain the plans for memorials and future rebuilding at the sites of the attacks. Why do some people compare the 911 attacks to Pearl Harbor? What is the impact on the United States today?


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