Third Annual Geography Fair: Where in the USA?
When: Sunday March 30, 2008 3 PM
Who: ALL HOMESCHOOLERS (preschool to teens and anyone in between)
Cost: None
Where: Jr. OUAM Hall in St Bernard
What to Bring: Your project and a dish to share (no NUTS or POPCORN please, due to food allergies!).

We have decided to have this year’s geography fair focus on the USA. Come bring your family to an afternoon of “visiting” the United States in a fun way. At the start of the geography fair, we will hand out roadmaps and each “traveler” will get their roadmaps marked as they visit each state. We will provide small stickers to use to mark the “visitors” roadmap!

To participate: Each child (or family, it can be a group project) choses a state and makes up a presentation on that state. Let your imagination be your guide! The great thing about this opportunity is that any age child can participate and present their research to the best of their abilities. No competing! Certificates of participation will be given to each participant. The hall has plenty of electrical outlets so feel free to use one (or more)!Projects can be set up from 3-3:30 PM at which time we will give each participant a chance to presenttheir project to the group. At the conclusion of the presentations, certificates will be given to the participants. Similiar events have run until about 5 PM in the past.

We are also asking that participants bring a dish representative of their state to share (this can be as simple as cornbread or as elaborate as your cooking abilities allow!).We will have a potluck as part of our event. Drinks, plates, silverware and napkins will be provided. Remember no nuts or popcorn please! Families who do not want to make displays but still want to come and participate and “travel” are welcome, consider bringing a dessert or some kid friendly (nut free) munchies to share.

We had a wonderful turnout (despite 4 families dropping out at the last minute!). The following states (in no particular order) were represented: Maine, West Virginia, Ohio, California, Nebraska, New York, Indiana, Texas, Louisiana, Alaska, Michigan, Florida, Kentucky and Hawaii (with a model volcano and pineapples!). It was great to see the kids enthusiam and to watch them all color in their passport books with each state they visited! Now to decide if next year will be states as well, or if we will go back and do countries instead!

I have no pictures to share yet, as I left the digital camera at home and had to take my pictures with a cheapy throw away camera!