Where in the USA is everyone from?

Introductory Information:
Northwestern USA is experiencing a population growth and there has been much speculation as to where the newcomers are coming from and for what reasons they are coming. This project is designed to explore the population changes in the states of all participating classrooms. Students need to investigate this issue in order to come up with their own data to draw conclusions from rather than making sweeping generalizations based on invalid data.

Time Commitment Summary:
*Pre-week one: Send in applications.
*Week one: Download survey and have students complete it. (Draw in other classrooms if possible in order to gather more data)
*Week two: Collect all surveys and begin recording data in the form of a spreadsheet.
*Week three: Exchange data with other classrooms
*Week four: Create a chart to display data, and begin analyzing the data.
* Week five: Using maps of the United States, create a graphic representation of the data by placing a number on each state that represents the number of newcomers that have come from that state in order to give a clear picture of population influx. We will use separate maps of the US for the data from each state so that the variations in population influx for the different states will be clear.
*Week six: Discuss graphs, charts and maps. Write statements about conclusions drawn from these sources.
*Week seven: Share graphs, charts, and conclusions with other participating classrooms.

If you wish to be part of the activity, please fill out the registration form.

In addition send the following information directly to Suzy Flentie.
Names of additional teachers and grade levels in your building who will complete the survey:


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SURVEY:

1. Were you born in (name of your state) yes_____ no _____

2. If you were born here, but haven't lived here all of your life, name the state you lived in most recently._________________

3. If you were not born here, name the most recent state that you lived in before coming to the state you live in now.__________________

4. Check the reason that best describes why your family moved to the state you currently live in.
*Job____________
*Education (i.e. to attend a state University)___________
*To be closer to extended family (i.e. Grandparents, Cousins, etc.)_____
*Family values (i.e. good place to raise children)________
*Environment (i.e. outdoor recreation, clean air, etc.)_________
*Weather_________
5. State whether or not your family plans to stay in this state.
*Stay________ *Move__________ *Not Sure________

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Spreadsheet Format:
1st cell: total number of students in class surveyed
2nd cell: # & % of students born in that state
3rd cell: # of states that the out of state students have come from
4th cell: # & % of students whose families came for Job or higher education (universities)
5th cell: # & % of students whose families came for family or environmental reasons.
6th cell: # & % of students whose families came because they liked the weather.
7th cell: # & % of people who have moved into the state and plan to stay.
8th cell: # & % of people who have moved into the state and plan to leave.
9th cell: # & % of people who have moved into the state and are unsure of future plans.
10th cell: # of countries that the out of state students have come from (this cell may not be necessary).
11th - ? cells: Names of the states or countries that students have come from.

Suzy Flentie
sflentie@alpinet.net