Indiana: Out of this World!

Introduction

Task

Process and Resources

Evaluation

Conclusion

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asaucer.jpg (2124 bytes)Introduction

It's been plastered all over the newspapers, and it seems like the only news you see or hear reported is the alien landing at the White House. Everyone was really nervous at first, before we knew that the aliens were friendly, but now it's exciting for different reasons. Our alien visitors have announced that they have solutions to many of our problems, and would like to help us out.

Your boss at the county Chamber of Commerce explains to you " This is a great opportunity for us! The aliens just announced that they want to build the capital of the Galactic Federation here on Earth, in the United States! Since they don't know anything about us, they are holding a contest. The winner will be the location for the new capital. We have been invited to submit a poster on Indiana, with a focus on our local area."

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purship.jpg (2133 bytes)Task

Your boss continues, "Just think of how wonderful it would be to have the aliens right here in our own community! We would be the first people they would help out! Our area would be tremendously improved, AND it would make a great attraction to emphasize in trying to get more people to come to our Fourth of July parade! We just have to succeed in winning this contest, and if anyone can pull together a great poster on short notice, it's you guys."

"The poster must:

  1. contain all the information requested in the guidelines
  2. have clearly written text with NO grammatical errors
  3. be designed so that it's easy to read and understand
  4. be exciting and interesting to look at
  5. contain images, photos and graphs"
  6. have an attached list of sources that you used, both print and electronic.

"Are you guys up to it? If you succeed, we could have the next capital of the universe right here in town!"

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bsaucer.jpg (1995 bytes)Process and Resources

Your boss says "Okay, I'm going to divide you into groups of three. In your group, each person will be responsible for finding certain information on his own, but you will also be expected to work together to create an excellent end product for submission to the aliens. Remember, our future depends on it!"

One person in your group needs to find out these things:

  1. What is Indiana's state bird? When was it adopted?
  2. What is Indiana's state flower? When was it adopted?
  3. What is Indiana's state tree? When was it adopted?
  4. What does Indiana's state flag look like? What is the meaning behind the flag? When was it adopted?
  5. Why was Corydon important in Indiana history? When was it important?
  6. What is Indiana's motto? When was it adopted? Explain the meaning behind the motto. (You might have to look in more than one place to find the answer!)
  7. Where did the nickname "Hoosier" come from? Find three possible explanations.

Choose an illustration for at least one of the above topics.

Here are some Internet resources that you can use to help answer these questions. You may also use other resources for your information, both print and electronic. Remember to record the sources you consult.


What is a Hoosier? and other Frequently Asked Questions about Indiana from the Indiana Historical Society
National Time Change: What time is it in Indiana?
Destination: Indiana
Fun Facts and Trivia: Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association

 

 

One person in your group needs to find out these things:

  1. Does your county have a website? What is the URL? 
  2. What is the county capital?  
  3. What is the most current figure you can find for the population of Indiana?
  4. Did the population of Indiana increase or decrease between 1890-1990?
  5. Did the population of your county increase or decrease between 1990-1999?
  6. What are some physical features of your area?
  7. How is the land used?

Create graphs illustrating population change over time in Indiana and in particular for your county. Has population grown or fallen? What reasons can you think of why this might be?

Here are some Internet resources that you can use to help answer these questions. You may also use other resources for your information, both print and electronic. Remember to record the sources you consult.

Association of Indiana Counties
County Population Estimates, 1990-1999
Physical Features of Indiana
Physiographic Provinces Map
Indiana's People

One person in your group will research famous people who have lived in Indiana. Choose a musician, a writer, a politician, and a business person and write and illustrate short biographies. These biographies should answer the following questions:

  1. When was the person born?
  2. Where was the person born?
  3. Is the person still alive? If not, when did the person die?
  4. Where did they live in Indiana?
  5. Why is the person famous?
  6. What did they contribute to society? 
  7. Why is the person interesting?

Here are some Internet resources that you can use to help answer these questions. You may also use other resources for your information, both print and electronic. Remember to record the sources you consult.

Famous Hoosiers with links to Indiana
Our Hoosier Heritage
Golden Age of Indiana Literature

As a group, work to answer these questions. You might want to ask around to find out some of this information:

  1. What are some of the attractions of your area?  This could include museums, libraries, parks, and events.
  2. What are the important local landmarks? Is there a restaurant, a statue, or a famous tree that everyone seems to know?

As a group work to accomplish these things:

  1. Find five fun facts about Indiana
  2. Find and decide on a good picture of Indiana with which to illustrate your poster
  3. Figure out how you will combine the information you have collected to make a smooth finished product.

Here are some Internet resources that you can use to help answer these questions. You may also use other resources for your information, both print and electronic. Remember to record the sources you consult.


Indiana Tourism Photo Gallery
Indiana Tourism Online

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bluship.jpg (2428 bytes)Evaluation

"Of course, your work will be evaluated by the aliens themselves," says your boss, " and they have indicated that they care as much about HOW you create your poster as they do about WHAT your final product looks like.  Their criteria are listed below. It's really important for all of you to consider what their criteria for a great project includes as your group works on completing your contest submission.

Circle Appropriate Number

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Fair

Needs Attention

Completed work on time

5

4

3

2

1

Worked cooperatively

5

4

3

2

1

Stayed on task

5

4

3

2

1

Used electronic and print sources

5

4

3

2

1

Documented sources

5

4

3

2

1

Contained requested information

5

4

3

2

1

Clear, coherent writing without grammatical errors

5

4

3

2

1

Organized information for ease of use

5

4

3

2

1

Contained requested images, graphs, illustrations

5

4

3

2

1

Creativity

5

4

3

2

1

Total

 

 

 

 

 

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asaucer.jpg (2124 bytes)Conclusion

"In conclusion," says your boss, "I think that we can really win if we all stay on task and work together. I know that we can come up with a great poster that not only sells our area to aliens, but also to our own friends and families. On the surface it might seem like there's not much to Indiana, but you and I both know that it is really out of this world!"

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This page was last updated on March 2005 by Trisha Armstrong