Name(s): ________________________________________________________________________

Date: ______________________________________________

Class/Period: _______________

Research Topics
1. Topic: Hurricane Formation
Product: An editor for a soon-to-be published childrens book has hired you to write a chapter
on hurricane formation. Your section will include an explanation of conditions necessary for
hurricanes to form and the different categories of hurricanes. It will also include a science
experiment showing how hurricanes are formed.
2. Topic: Hurricane Hunters
Product: Help Wanted! Create a display that would provide information for someone who
may be interested in applying for an open position as a hurricane hunter. Include the
qualifications necessary to be a hurricane hunter, technology used to hunt hurricanes, and
testimony from hurricane hunters.
3. Topic: Coral Reefs of the Caribbean
Product: Bulletin board, poster, or mural showing what coral is, types of coral in the
Caribbean, and threats to coral reefs today. Think of ways to involve the viewer in the learning
process (questions and answers to be found, etc.).
4. Topic: Animals of the Coral Reefs
Product: Bulletin board, poster, or mural of reef animals in their natural environment. Include
threats to the animals. Think of ways to involve the viewer in the learning process (questions
and answers to be found, etc.).
5. Topic: Ships of WWII- U-Boats
Product: Anatomy of a U-Boat. Describe daily life onboard the ship. Include labels of the
important parts of the ship. Include the importance of the U-boat to WWII.
6. Topic: Ships of WWII- Oil Tanker
Product: Anatomy of an Oil Tanker. Describe daily life onboard the ship. Include labels of the
important parts of the ship. Include the importance of the oil tanker t to WWII.
7. Topic: Ships of WWII-Schooner
Product: Anatomy of a Schooner. Describe daily life onboard the ship. Include labels of the
important parts of the ship. Include the importance of the schooner to the Caribbean.
8. Topic: Ships of WWII-Destroyer Escorts
Product: Anatomy of a Destroyer Escorts. Describe daily life onboard the ship. Include labels
of the important parts of the ship. Include the importance of the destroyer escort to WWII.

9. Topic: Geography of the Caribbean

Product: What is the Caribbean like? You are responsible for creating a visual for the
geography of the Caribbean. The display will include a map with main Caribbean countries,
geographical features, and map features. The display will also include information on five
Caribbean landmarks or countries of your choice.
10. Topic: Timeline
Product: Who are the people of Curacao? You work for the Field Museum and you are in
charge of creating a timeline to be place at the beginning of a new exhibit about Curacao.
Create a display using photos, text, and a timeline to give an overview of the history of
Curacao. Begin at its earliest date and end at present times.
11. Topic: Forecasting Hurricanes
Product: The editor of the newspaper you work for would like you to create a special section
devoted to forecasting hurricanes. How are hurricanes forecasted using natural signs as well
as technology? What is a hurricane watch? What is a hurricane warning (colors associated with
warnings, the time and distance, and what should be done to prepare for the hurricanes
approach)? Includes visuals. Apply this information to a historic hurricane.
12. Topic: Survival on a Deserted Caribbean Island
Product: Prepare to teach a group of young people to survive for 3 months on a deserted
island in the Caribbean and fill a backpack with ten and only ten items necessary for survival.
You will also create a magazine as a survival reference tool.
13. Topic: Malaria
Product: The Center for Disease Control needs your help. People are requesting information
about Malaria. Youve been hired to create a brochure for travelers with description of
symptoms, prevention, and treatment of malaria.
14. Topic: Blindness
Product: You work for a local hospital. Youve been assigned to create a health bulletin stating
causes, cures, and coping skills. Includes name of bulletin, logo, slogan, and diagrams.
Demonstrate a blind simulation activity with the class.
15. Topic: Birds of the Caribbean
Product: Design a Brookfield Zoo exhibit of birds of the Caribbean. This could be a portfolio of
drawings, text, photos, or a 3-D display. Be sure to include a one-page rationale for all choices.
16. Topic: Reptiles of the Caribbean
Product: Design a Brookfield Zoo exhibit of reptiles of the Caribbean. This could be a portfolio
of drawings, text, photos, or a 3-D display. Be sure to include a one-page rationale for all
choices.

17. Topic: Coconut Palm Tree

Product: 3-D model of coconut tree with labels. Written description of uses for husk, trunk,
leaves, and coconut.
18. Topic: Facing and Overcoming Prejudice
Product: Pretend that you are working in a library or bookstore. Your assignment is to set up a
display of at least six books for people about facing and overcoming prejudice. Include an
annotated bibliography (similar to the genre packets in the LLC) of at least six books for young
people about facing and overcoming prejudice. Present a two-minute book talk on each book.
19. Topic: Facing and Overcoming Prejudice
Product: A digitally recorded interview with your teammate about a book he or she read on
overcoming prejudice. Include research information about book and author, and quality
questions.
20. Topic: Oil Refinery
Product: Visual flow chart showing the process of creating fuel, starting with oil fields to
refinery to tankers to warfront.
21. Topic: Animals and Oil Spills
Product: Design a new Caribbean ocean animal incorporating at least three characteristics that
will help it survive an oil spill. Write a description of each characteristic, explaining your
reasons for selecting it. Create a model of your animal.