• PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT      Name: _____________

    SCAVENGER HUNT

    Part One DUE DATE:________PART TWO DUE DATE________

    The general purpose of this scavenger hunt is to make the student more aware of the many ways our lives are affected by local, county, state, and federal levels of government.  This scavenger hunt should result in a better understanding of the function and the location of many of the governmental agencies that they may need to call on as active citizens in a democratic society.

    The score of this scavenger hunt will result in point credits toward the final assessment. The student should make every effort to adhere to the general requirements of the project, as well as the specific requirements of each section/activity.

    GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

    On the due dates, each student will submit a scavenger hunt project to the instructor. The scavenger hunt will be split into 2 parts. One part will be due at the end of the first 10 weeks and a minimum of 50 points is due. The second part will be due at the end of the second 10 weeks and a total of 50 additional points will be due.  A total of 100 points is due for this project to be complete.

    All activities turned in for credit must have proper verification that the student actually visited that office (sheets will be provided).  Activities lacking signed verification will not receive the points allowable for that activity.

    Projects that are short points, will be graded on a scale proportional to the point requirement.

    LATE projects will be penalized at a rate of five (5) points PER. After 5 consecutive days, the project will be given a 50% when turned in.

    Each student will fill in the appropriate activity form to be included in the project.

    All the information in the scavenger hunt will be TYPED in a font NO larger than 14pt and double-spaced.

    All projects should be neat and organized.

    Any student NOT handing in a project will receive a ZERO for a FINAL EXAM GRADE and will NOT be eligible to pass government and will result in NOT being able to graduate.

    ACTIVITIES: The student is responsible for choosing 100 points to complete this project.

    1. Comparative Government Agency Research: Complete Local Level of Government form and obtain proper signatures from Town Hall.  (20 points)
    2. Attend a Village of Hamburg Court, Village of Blasdell, City of Buffalo Court, or any local court session.  Court is held throughout the month, and times/dates can be found on the government websites.  You must go to the courthouse and stay for one hour.  Introduce yourself to the Court Clerk and to the Judge.  Get a signature from the Court Clerk as your verification of attendance.  Complete the form available in class. (20 points)
    3. Attend a Town of Hamburg, Village of Hamburg, Village of Blasdell, Town of Evans, City of Buffalo, (any municipality) Board Meeting.  Meeting times and locations will be posted but can also be   found on the government websites.  You must go to the meeting, write the names of the board members in attendance, get a signature from one of the members as your verification of attendance on the form provided and complete the form.  You MUST stay a min. of one hour (unless the meeting ends prior to one hour). (20 points)
    4. School Board Meeting: Attend any school district School Board Meeting.  The Frontier meetings are usually held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  They are located at the Frontier Educational Building on Orchard Avenue.  Dates will be posted in class.  You must go to the meeting, and complete the forms provided in class.  You must get a signature from one of the board meetings as your verification of attendance.  You must stay a min. of one hour unless the meeting ends prior to that one hour. (20 points).
    5. Interview a Public Official: Plan and carry out an interview of a public official. Before credit will be given, PRIOR APPROVAL must be given to interview the chosen official and the list of questions you plan to ask that official.  Questions must include: duties, education, salary, and job requirements. (10 points)
    6. Attend a local candidate’s night.  Type a one page summary of what was discussed.  Include the names of the candidates, their political party, a statement of who you would vote for and why.  (10 points)
    7. Arrange for a police ride-along/add’l EMT ride-along.  This activity involves the student arranging for and completing a police ride-along or if involved in the EMT program, arrange a second ambulance ride-along.  A report must be submitted and a signature for verification is required. (10 points)
    8. In-House Speaker: This activity is during the school day.  A guest speaker will be arranged by the teacher and will represent a wide variety of political ideologies.  Any student that does NOT attend this activity cannot receive credit for the project.  Only in the case of a compelling personal reason and only in consultation with the teacher, can an exception be made. (5 points)
    9. Write a letter to a politician at ANY level of government, a political party or a political agency (choose 1). (5 points)
    10. Write a letter or an editorial to the Hamburg Sun or the Buffalo News.  All letters and editorials must be reviewed and approved by the teacher prior to submission.  No more than one letter will be permitted. (5 points)
    11. Register to Vote: Forms are available in class or you can go online.  Make a copy of your registration or if you are already registered, make a copy of your voting card. (5 points)
    12. Research a candidate or an office holder.  You may choose a candidate running for office or a person already in office.  Type a one page paper explaining who the person is, what office they focus on, what are the major issues the candidate or office holder has, educational background, experiences, and political party they are with.   You must include a minimum of 2 sources.  (5 points)
    13. Research a political party.  Type a one-page summary of any MAJOR political party.  The information must include historical information, current political stance on our nation’s major issues, and any other relevant information you feel necessary. You must use a minimum of 2 sources. (5 points)
    14. Watch a Political Debate or Major Speech:  Write a one page summary of what was discussed.  Include the names of the candidates or speaker, political party, title or office held, date of debate/speech and major issues discussed. Include your reaction to the debate/speech. (5 points)
Last Modified on August 28, 2018