Chicago History Fair

1. Chicago History Fair www.chicagohistoryfair.org

2. 2009-2010 Theme Innovations and Change in Chicago History

3. Formats The Media of Choice

4. The Research Paper • Must be original work • 7 to 10 pages of text • 1” margins • Double spaced • Footnotes • Annotated Bibliography • One person only

5. Exhibit Board • Size Maximum Parameters • 4 feet wide • 3 feet deep • 6 feet high • Visuals • Captions • Sections • Annotated Bibliography • Summary Statement Form • Two may work together

6. Live Performance • 7 to 10 minutes • Annotated Bibliography • Summary Statement Form • Script • Up to 5 people • Must supply your own props, costumes and any equipment

7. Documentary • 7-10 minutes • Annotated Bibliography • Summary Statement Form • Narration scripted • You must supply your own camera, recording devices, and playback equipment

8. Historical Voice • 4-5 minute speech • 5-6 minute analysis of the speech • Dramatic presentation • Annotated Bibliography • Summary Statement Form • One person

9. Particulars Requirements for projects

10. What Must Be Done • Every project regardless of format must have an annotated bibliography • All projects must be on Chicago • Topics must be historical—change over time • The events must have taken place more than 25 years ago • Students are responsible for all materials and any needed equipment

11. More Specifically… • If you do a documentary, you must be able to access a camera, film or disc, and the needed equipment to present it • If you do a live performance, you supply the music, equipment, costume, and props • If you do a paper, you are to learn how to footnote and format a formal paper • If you do an exhibit, you must get the board

12. Due Dates • Your topic must be finalized by November 25, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving • You must have your Annotated Bibliography ready when we return from Winter Break in January • Your completed project is due by January 15 • The class history fair is on the day following the final exams • The local history fair is the Tuesday of the first week of semester 2

13. Annotated Bibliography Required of all projects Alphabetical listing divided into primary and secondary sources Author’s last name, First name. Title Bolded. Place of Publication: Publisher, Date Published Statement of how it was used and the value of the source (Origin, purpose, value, and limitation)

14. Summary Statement Form Required of all projects except research papers Available at www.chicagohistoryfair.org • Forms must be downloaded and printed • Read the questions carefully and answer first on notebook paper, edit, and neatly word process the questions and answers • Limit your responses to the questions as they are asked, but give thorough answers in standard English

15. Exhibit Boards A Visual Display

16. Supplies • Self-standing project board • Construction paper, scissors, adhesives • Printer and paper • Decorating materials appropriate to topic • Markers • Creativity, organization, research skills, time • One partner is optional

17. Basic Layout 4 x 2 x 6 and free standing TITLE Importance introduction CONCLUSION TIME LINE TIME LINE TIME LINE

18. Rules for Effect • Divide the board into three • Introduction (before) • Title (event) • Conclusion (after) • Use captions and mount (borders) pictures • Use section titles • Organize with a creative and appropriate timeline • Color schemes and borders are used to emphasis or give an attractive and neat look

19. Don’t • Forget to include some words to show analysis • Overload the board with too many words • Clutter and slap pictures on the board • Attach the bibliography or Summary Statement Form to the board • Put your name on the board’s front • Hang the board—it must be free standing!

20. Performances Live at…

21. Some Suggestions • Skits • Dance • Singing • Poetry Recital • Instrumentals • Debate • Mime • Comedy Routine Lisa Plays the Blues

22. Tips • A short introduction relating the performance to historic Chicago is appreciated • You need to write down details in a script in a formal format • Rehearse! • Be prepared with background music, props, costumes of the period

23. Don’t • Try to ad lib • Work with others that are apt to not show for practice or the fair • Think of this as a talent show • Go under 7 minutes or over 10 • Assume the judges never heard of your topic

24. Documentary When it can’t be Done Live

25. Formats • Video • Interviews • Tours of related sites • Re-enactments • Power Points • Art: paintings, sculptures, architecture • Comparisons: then and now • Must be narrated within presentation

26. Some Problems to Consider • Accessing equipment when needed • Using equipment and editing • Citing sources in the annotated bibliography • Travel to locations • Asking permission to interview • Nature: weather and daylight • Comfort with unexpected situations

27. Don’t • Attempt this format if you do not have the technical skills • Try to be spontaneous—plan out every detail • Work with others unless you can meet at least once a week to check on progress • Think your “sources” have to cooperate • Be natural. You have to present yourself as serious, mannerly, and interested in your subjects

28. Off Limit Topics Done that, Seen That

29. Events, People, Places to Avoid • Chicago Fire • Haymarket Affair • Any Gang • Al Capone • Jane Addams • Black Panthers • Police Brutality • Founding of a public school • Anything that happened less than 25 years ago • Any thing where you cannot find at least 10 sources • Anything without primary sources • Unless, of course you can find a NEW angle

30. What Is NOT Appropriate • Justification for subjects that cannot, should not be justified • Racism • Ageism • Homophobia • Xenophobia • Anti-Semitism • Physical handicap abuse • Promotion of drugs, violence, or crime • Stereotyping • Plagiarism • Grammatical and spelling errors • Sloppy or careless presentations • Lack of research • Taking credit for the work of classmates • Factual errors

31. Good Topics I didn’t know that!

32. Firsts • Record holders • Inventions • Conventions • Organizations • Movements • Products • Artistic Endeavors • Medical Innovation

33. Unique to Chicago • Books, movies, songs about Chicago • People who are famous born and raised in Chicago • Neighborhoods • Political scandal and triumph • Labor history • Churches, homes, schools • Architecture

34. A New Face on an Old Topic • Meeting of the Minds: conflicting roles • Entertainers and artists of a specific time period • Law enforcement or reform that resulted from affects of a violent person or group • Chicago’s own designers in Chicago • Chicago memories: interviews with people who were teens in the 30s, 40s 50s, or 60s

35. Research Facilities Where you can go

36. Traditional Institutions • Libraries • Amundsen open M-F (7:00—6:00) • Sulzer Regional • Harold Washington • Newberry • Universities • Archives • Ethnic Museums • Chicago History • Medical Museums • Private Individuals • Retirement Homes • Ethnic Clubs • Restaurant Owners • Hotel and Theatre Public Relations • Radio and Television Studios • Internet • Encyclopedia of Chicago • www.chicagohistoryfair.org

37. Special Instructions

38. Tips on Research • The photocopier is your best friend in public, school, and university libraries • Carry a spiral notebook with you • A tape recorder can be a good tool, but be sure it’s working and your voice is clear • Keep extra pens, tape, film, paper, and coins in a zippered pouch • Don’t be offended if you are asked to check in bags and backpacks

39. The Secrets to a Superior Project Be a star!

40. Work Hard and Consistently

41. Choose the Best Fit Format

42. PLAN!

43. Be Patient with Yourself

44. Be Flexible

45. Take Care of Necessities • Time, length, size, or partnership limits • Annotated Bibliography • Summary Statement Form • Chicago History • Theme: Innovations and Change in Chicago History

46. Final Touches • Boards=layout and color scheme • Performance=rehearse • Papers=do the “checks” • Documentaries=edit • Historical Voice= practice • ALL= Peer Review

47. The End… Go forth and do!