The LCPS Social Science & Global Studies Academic Awards

The LCPS Social Science & Global Studies Academic Awards

Description of the Program and Guidelines for Participation

Ashburn, Virginia 2014-2015

In 2015, the LCPS Office of Social Science & Global Studies will continue to give students awards for solid academic work, and will continue to host a celebration at the end of the year--with an educational and inspirational speaker and an Awards Presentation.

Students’ written work will be selected using the following process:

·  teachers at the students’ schools will evaluate the written work and student applications for “Social Science & Global Studies Student of the Year”

·  each Middle School and High School will nominate ONE student from each grade for county-wide recognition;

·  a county-wide committee of teachers and specialists will evaluate the submitted papers and choose one winner and one runner up from each grade 6-12;

·  On June 4, 2015 the students selected from each grade, 6-12, will be announced as the “Social Science & Global Studies Student of the Year” for the county;

·  Prizes, that encourage students to continue their education after high school, will be given to the “student of the year” selected for each grade, and to one runner-up.

All students in grades 6-12 who are interested in Social Science topics and subjects are encouraged to submit their written work and their applications for consideration.

In addition to the awards announced on the evening of June 4, students, teachers, and parents will hear from a special guest speaker. Each year, we work to make the evening start out with an important, thoughtful message from a member of the U.S. or World community who has experiences and ideas to inspire our students to be involved citizens.

Student of the Year Nominations: Information for Students

Process for nomination:

1.  You may nominate yourself for the award, or you may be nominated by teachers at your school.

2.  You must submit your applications/nominations and written work by the deadlines established at each middle or high school.

3.  Your written work will be evaluated by teachers at your school according to the county-wide rubric (see attached)

4.  If you would like to be considered for this nomination, you should talk with your teacher about which written work you should submit and you should ask for a copy of the “Student of the Year Nomination and Application.” Both the written work and the Nomination/Application should be submitted for consideration.

5.  To determine which students to nominate for county-wide consideration, teachers will be considering your entire student packet--composed of your nomination papers with your written responses, and a single sample of your written

work done for a Social Science class.

Process for selection at your school:

Once all of the nominations and applications have been submitted, the school Social Science and Global Studies teachers will choose ONE nominee per grade to send on for county-wide consideration.

Process for selection at the county level:

A committee of teachers and specialists in Social Science & Global Studies will evaluate each piece of written work and the application to determine the county winners for each grade.

Awards Celebration:

The Social Science and Global Studies Award ceremony will be take place on the evening of June 4, 2015 at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg. All students submitted for county-wide consideration are invited, and are expected to come.

·  As a traditional part of the awards ceremony, students, parents, teachers, and members of the Loudoun community will gather to hear a special guest speaker. Our speaker will share thoughts and experiences, and ideas, and will then take questions from students.

·  After the speaker’s presentation and the student questions, the awards for outstanding students in Social Science & Global Studies will be announced, and then all students and their families are invited to a reception with our special guest.

2015 Social Science Rubric for Written Work – HIGH School

Total Points: ______

(Maximum=20)

Social Science & Global Studies

Student of the Year Nomination and Application

2013-2014

Student Name: ______Nominating Teacher (If applicable): ______

Grade: ______Teacher Signature (If applicable): ______

School: ______

In your opinion, what are the areas or topics of Social Science & Global Studies that people need to learn about? Please explain.

Also, HOW do you incorporate the important topics of Social Science & Global Studies into YOUR life? Please describe.

______

Choose one of the scenarios below and describe how you think a person should respond to it.

Choose one of the scenarios below and describe how you think a person should respond to it.

A.  There is a big, open field next to your neighborhood. Across the field, there is another neighborhood. You have a good friend who lives in the neighborhood across the field, and you know her parents work 2 or 3 jobs so that they can afford to live there. As a matter of fact, a lot of parents and people in that neighborhood work at 2 or 3 jobs. Many of these families plant vegetable gardens in the open field to grow extra food for their families. This open field between your neighborhoods used to be a WW II airplane factory, and the county wants to turn the land into a historical museum. People who plant vegetable gardens in the field every year—including your friend--do not want the land taken over to become a museum, because they want to continue to use the land to grow food. Please EXPLAIN:

a.  What you think should happen to this piece of property.

b.  What actions YOU could take to bring about what you think should happen. Be as specific as you can.

B.  One of the clubs or organizations you belong to at school or in your town has done a great job raising money for charity. You worked hard as well, doing volunteer work to collect donations. Your club’s mission is simply stated “to help families and communities,” and now must decide how to use the money raised. Your group has narrowed down the choices to receive the money to two: 1) a camp in Texas that is providing temporary places to live for Guatemalan and Mexican children who have fled their countries on foot and arrived in the U.S. Or, 2) a children’s shelter in Ukraine that takes in people under 16 who have lost their homes and/or families due to the violent clashes there. This shelter takes in both Ukrainian and Russian children. The club has already decided not to split the money raised. Please EXPLAIN:

a.  Where you think your club should send the money.

b.  Why you would send the money to one group rather than another.

______

What is the subject of your Social Science written work that you will submit for consideration?

______

Describe any school, community, or civic organizations or work with which you have been active. What have you done in your school, neighborhood, or the county to be an active social science citizen?

______

Teacher comments (include observations about class participation, participation in school activities, etc.) ______

HS 2015