The project below was one I found online. The link above will take you to the original teacher's post. I copied it here and changed the dates.
Date accessed: February 13th, 2015. http://sstiller.commons.hwdsb.on.ca/grade-8-geography-project/
Date accessed: February 13th, 2015. http://sstiller.commons.hwdsb.on.ca/grade-8-geography-project/
Investigating Population Patterns Project
During this project you will investigate different countries around the world and discover what makes them similar, and what makes them different. You will develop your research strategies and figure out how best to communicate your findings while making inferences as to how geography and history has impacted these countries. At the end of the year, we will have a circle discussion where you will informally talk about what you discovered about humans, where we live, how we live, what affects our lives, and how one day YOU can impact life in a positive way.
Part 1—Human Development Index
Due: April 2015
A) What are the ten highest and lowest countries on the Human Development Index? Make a list and conduct research to find the answers to these questions:
- What are the populations of these countries?
- What is the average income of people in these countries?
- Notice the headings on the HDI table and get a general idea of how the top ten countries differ from the lowest ten.
- Where are these countries located on a map.
Shade and label these countries on a world outline map. Your map should include the following:
- Title--Choose a title that identifies what your map is communicating. Make sure the title is in bold and underlined at the top of the map
- Labels— each country should be clearly identified with its name and population
- Colour— each country should be neatly shaded,outlined. Choose colour scheme that will best communicate your research and relate
- Legend--decide the best way to show the difference between the ten highest and lowest countries according to the Human Development Index. (include information such as life expectancy, mean years of schooling etc...) You can choose all or some of the information.
B) Write a paragraph describing any patterns that you see in the locations and populations of these countries. Give at least 2 reasons that might explain why these patterns exist.
Suggested Websites:
Printable world map: http://www.free-world-maps.com/printable-white-transparent-political-blank-world-map-c3
http://countrymeters.info/
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index#Complete_list_of_countries
http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/populations/ctypopls.htm
http://www.theworldmapimages.com/outline-map-of-the-world-2/
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/un/UN_Human_Development_Index
http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/table-1-human-development-index-and-its-components
Part 2—Comparative Study
Due: April 2015
In this next section, you will go into more detail, examining aspects of different countries. You will continue practicing the art of communicating through graphics (pictures, graphs, maps etc..) You will also start to see how these aspects connect to a person's QUALITY OF LIFE.
Before you start: Think about the idea of QUALITY OF LIFE. Brainstorm with a partner what you think this means to you? What areas of life do you think play a role in determining this?
A) EXPLORE TWO COUNTRIES
1.Select one of the ten highest and one of the ten lowest countries on the Human Development Index.
2. Find out information below and create a series of visual representations (Eg. chart, population pyramid graph, infographic, table, line or dot graphs. You might get ideas from the textbook, from national geographic, or through other research --- GOOGLE IT!!!.) that compares them using the following characteristics:
- Population (Total number of people)
- Total Area of land
- Population Density (Show specific population around the country)
- Average Income
- Fertility Rate (How many children do families have?)
- Literacy Rate (How many people can read and write)
- Infant Mortality Rate (How many deaths of children under 5rs)
- Birth Rate (How many babies born per year)
- Death Rate (How many deaths per year)
- Life expectancy (What is the average life expectancy for men and women?)
- Type of government/political system
- Feel free to include anything else you see relevant.
B) QUALITY OF LIFE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_life
Identify each country as a developed or developing. How do you think these factors (from section A) affect the quality of life in each country? Give supporting evidence based on your research. You can go to the country's website for tourism, or visit the government website if there is any to get a better idea of what life might be like there.
C) GEOGRAPHY MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Find out what the land is like in both countries. Is there water close by? Is the land arable? (good for agriculture), are there mountains or desert or other landforms that would make living difficult? Have there been large natural disasters that have affected the country's progress and quality of life?
Write a few paragraphs to explain the connections you have made to geography, and the quality of life.
D) HISTORY MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Find out what political system the country has and if there have been any significant historical issues such as war or corrupt government systems that has affected the quality of life in the country.
Write a few paragraphs to explain the connections you have made to history and the quality of life.
E) How does it make you feel about where you are in this world? Interview your parent or grand parent to find out more about where your family came from. Why did your family choose to come to Canada? (If you can't do this, do some of your own research about your ancestral nation.)
Write a few paragraphs explaining the nation your ancestors are from. How is life in Canada better? Worse?
Suggested Websites:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html
http://www.scalloway.org.uk/popu6.htm
Part 3— Heroes (This section was modified from Stiller's Project)
Due: TBD
A) Conduct research to find 2 articles about one hero (eg. Mother Theresa) or group of heroes (Try searching for Non-Government Agencies otherwise known as NGOs) in one of the regions you studied. This individual or group of individuals will have impacted the world in a positive way. The impact could be as small as in our neighbourhood or as large as the whole world.
B) Write a brief summary of each article that outlines the important issues being addressed. What is this hero or group of heroes doing? How much success have they had? How much farther do they have to go? Who can get involved? How?
C) Individual Reflection: What about this NGO or individual made you want to find out more? Think about how these hero stories make you feel. What kind of heroic actions would you like to take one day? How could we participate? What issues would you want to tackle and fight for? How does this research change the way you see the world? How does it make you feel about yourself as a part of this world.
Suggested Websites:
http://www.theglobaljournal.net/group/top-100-ngos/
http://edition.cnn.com/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/