State profiles project

Students have been assigned a state or territory to report on; the report does not need to be a long, narrative style (and in fact may be best done as a table), but does need to cover the answers to these 33 questions.

Map of the U.S. from C. S. Hammond & Company Atlas published in 1910 - USGenWeb Project

Additionally, each report is to be accompanied by a map of the state (question 15), a color image of the flag of the state (question 18) and another image of an icon in the state (also question 18).  Students are encouraged to include other images as may be appropriate or information-friendly.

The state profile should be submitted on 8.5 x 11 paper (standard letter size), with a cover page that specifies the project (State Profile), the name of the state, the name of the student, the date, and the school.  Be sure each statement is appropriately attributed; footnotes are preferred, a bibliography is expected.

A-day students should turn in their project on October 11; B-day students should turn their project in on October 12.  Students who miss the deadline should expect at least a one letter-grade penalty.

1.	Which state or territory are you reporting on?
2.	When did the U.S. gain the land on which your state or territory sits?  Tell the story.
3.	When did your state join the Union?  Or, when did your territory become a territory?
4.	Where is the land that is subject of your report?
5.	What other states or countries border yours?
6.	What is the state or territorial motto?
7.	What was the population of your state in the 2000 Census?
8.	What is the capital city?  What is the largest city?
9.	Who is the current governor of the state?  How many seats in the House of Representatives has your state?
10.	How did your state vote in the last presidential election?  Who got the electors from your state?
11.	Explain the history of statehood; when and why was the state admitted to the union?
12.	Explain the history of your state, prior to 1492.
13.	What national events contributed to statehood for your state?
14.	What are the main cities of your state?
15.	List, discuss and map the main roads and highways, and waterways if they are important.
16.	What are the state symbols – bird, tree, flower, etc.  List at least three, and any others you find important (the state shell of Texas is the Lightning Whelk – important?)
17.	Talk about the geography of  your state
18.	Get an image of the state flag in color (you may color it yourself).  Explain the symbolism of the flag, if any.  Pick one other iconic image of your state to present.  (Use other images as you wish.)
19.	Discuss the history of native Americans in your state as European, African and Asian-descended peoples moved in to settle the land, and before that time.
20.	Discuss and explain the settling of your state, prior to statehood.  From where did the settlers come, and how has that affected history and culture?
21.	What foods is your state famous for?  Anything else?
22.	What music is your state famous for?  Discuss this, offer examples, and recordings if you can.  For example, Texas would feature conjunto, Texas Swing, blues , and maybe country-western.
23.	Talk about at least three of the most famous people to come out of the state, or in the state (Albert Einstein was an immigrant, but would qualify as a New Jersey famous person).
24.	Discuss the arts in your state, generally:  Museums, painting, music, architecture, anything else.
25.	List and discuss the major parks in your state – National Parks, National Monuments, National Historic Places, state parks, etc.
26.	What are the chief agricultural products of your state?  Explain this history.
27.	What are the chief industries of your state, especially other than agriculture.
28.	Was your state one of the original Thirteen Colonies?
29.	What was your state’s position on the Civil War?  What role did your state play in the War?
30.	Write at least a page of the history of your state bringing us up to 2010.  What is your state’s role in U.S. affairs today, and through its history?  Talk about disasters and famous events.
31.	Explain modern politics in your state.  List the governor, senators and representatives.
32.	List the famous places, parks, physical geographical features, buildings, or other places, that are outstanding, in your state.
33.	Tell what you would encourage a person to visit, if they were to visit your state.

.

Turn on the lights to knowledge in your state! (NASA's APOD, August 30, 1997 - The United States at Night Credit and Copyright: NOAA/ NGDC, DMSP Digital Archive)