Exploring South America

1. Exploring South America Group Project Details

2. The Problem • One of your classmates is trying to decide where to attend university. • She/he has limited her decision to 8 countries in South America. • Your job is to research 1 of the 8 countries and decide which is best for she/he.

3. Experts • Each team will have 3 members: • Geography Expert • Cultural Expert • History/Government Expert • The Brazil team will have 4 members. • These teams will split the History/Government Expert position between two students.

4. Resources • You can use any resources you like as long as they are accurate. • Here are a few examples: • Canadian Cultural Profile Site • http://www.settlement.org/cp/english/ • CIA Factbook • http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ • Altapedia • http://www.atlapedia.com/index.html

5. Geography Expert Responsibilities • Find a map of South America and include it in your presentation. • Name the country you are researching and show where it is located in South America? • What other countries and major bodies of water surround the country? • What are some of the major landforms and water forms of the country? • Describe the climate and terrain (landscape) of the country. • List some of the major cities in this country and include pictures in your presentation. • List some of the major agricultural products and industries of the country. Include some pictures of these. • List the major exports and imports of the country.

6. Cultural Expert Responsibilities • What is the population of the country? • What are the languages spoken in this country? • What religions are practiced in this country? • What ethnic (cultural) groups live in this country? • Describe the culture of the country. • What are some of the foods unique to this country? • Describe family life in this country. • What is education like in this country? For example, Is education important in this country? Is education free? How long do children attend school? Does the majority of the population obtain some kind of education? • What are some of the major sports and recreation in the country?

7. History/Government Expert Responsibilities • Give a brief description of any historical dates celebrated each year. For example, Independence Day. • Describe the flag of the country. Include a picture. • What type of government does the country have? • In which city is the capital located? Include a picture. • What is the leader of the country called? • Who is the current leader of the country and how long have they been in office? • Briefly describe any significant historical events that have occurred in this country.

8. PowerPoint Storyboard • Using the research conducted by each member of your team, you will use the PowerPoint storyboard to write out the information you will put into each slide. • This will be the first part of your assignment and will be due Oct 11 • Use the information on each slide to choose the best image.

9. Images • Using Google Images Search or some other image search, look for an image that you will use for your slide. • Typically you will not want to use more than one image per slide.

10. PowerPoint • You will use PowerPoint to create your slides. • Begin by creating your text, using bullets or numbers to organize the information you will share. • Add images or objects to your slides.

11. Video • I would encourage you to use video only if you have the capability to download and insert video into your PowerPoint. • You can not make one long video and submit it as a presentation. • You can only include short video clips to enhance your presentation.

12. PowerPoint • Review your slides and consider how you want your classmates to see them presented. • Consider using some slide animations or transitions • But remember to keep it simple and professional.

13. Presentation • Your presentations must be at least 10 minutes and no more than 20 minutes. • Each member of your team must contribute to the research and participate in the presentation. • You will submit your presentations to me before you present to the class. • This project is worth 100 points and will contribute to the Projects/Essays portion of your overall grade. • Remember, your presentation is meant to share important information to help your classmates understand a new country and appreciate it as a possible home.

14. Advice • Make this presentation appealing to people your age. • Use music, images, video, etc. • Your presentation should be exciting and interesting. • It should make someone want to live in that country. • It should also make them aware of the negative side of living in that country.

15. Evaluation

16. Storyboard • See example handout.

17. Bibliography Entire Website Author, A. A. (Year, Month day). Title of web site. Retrieved from http://homepage URL Example: McLean, B. (2006). Child and adolescent psychology services: Learning disability & ADHD assessment for children and adults. Retrieved from http://www.newfoundlandpsychology.com/ Page/Document on a Website Author, A. A. (Year, Month day). Title of page/document. In Title of web site. Retrieved from http://URL to specific page/document Example: Rose, C. (2012, February 8). How to write citations and bibliographies in APA style. In Memorial University libraries. Retrieved from http://www.library.mun.ca/guides/howto/apa.php

18. Important Dates • We will spend October 8 – 10 researching in the library. • You should also plan to research at home. • I will also give you some class time to research. • Your PowerPoint storyboard and bibliography will be due October 11. • Each expert will submit their own storyboard and bibliography. • Your finished presentation will be due to me by October 14.

19. Reflection • Each student will write a 1-page, in-class essay telling me which country you would pick for university based on class presentations.