Memo+Drafts


 * Memo 1 **

__Objective__: understand what a county is and to gain familiarity basic facets of a couple counties. Know where/how to look for information on counties.

__Introducing what a county is__:

- ask students to spend 10-15 minutes researching what a county is, what purpose does it serve, what functions does it perform? Have on facilitator at the front of a room with a computer/projector. Have the students tell the facilitator what they want to search and how. Troubleshoot challenges with/understanding of how to research?

- have students create a collective/working definition (that is projected).

__ Getting to know a county: __


 * Have each student pick two counties out of a TBD object
 * Ask each student to find_ on maps/tables around the room:
 * Location
 * Population
 * Geographic size
 * Large cities
 * Where does the name for the county come from?
 * What’s the most densely populated town/city?
 * Zoom in?? Let this lead to a discussion on diversity within spaces and changes over time


 * Memo 2 **

Pick a county.

What’s happening in //your// county?

Input information into maps using heat map template to show variability.


 * Memo 3 **

Consider the stories the maps tell.

From those stories develop research questions.

Create mini ‘think-tanks’ around research interests


 * Memo 4 **

Operationalizing research questions

Research methods/strategies