Social Studies fair topic?

[glitzybabes]

My dd11 needs a topic for her social studies fair paper. She wants to do something disney. She asked her teacher if she could do Who was Walt disney? and he said no, that he really did want a report. So we are having a hard time picking something. the topic needs to be in a form of a question. does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!

[Lizzzys]

Although not directly related to Disney, this might be a good Social Studies topic. It is called The Fun Theory. Basically, it boils down to changing people's behaviours by making something that you want them to do, FUN!

I think you could easily adapt it to something Disney, I'm sure. In fact.... isn't the way that Disney does their lineups a good example of the Fun Theory?? They make the lineup places interesting, not as boring to just stand in line to wait for a ride. There you go!! The question could be "What is the easiest way to change human behaviour?"

Here is another good example of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

Good luck to your daughter!
Liz

[ksumn1]

I think What would Walt do (or think) about.......the new Disney Princess movie, or the shift to more Disney live action shows and stars (compare contrast Mickey with Hannah Montanta, and explain why each character was popular as it relates to the culture of the day) or What is the signifigance of the countries represented in WS at EPCOT? How are each of the countries and cultures represented statistically today in the US, as compared to when WS opened its doors. I would say any topic that you can pull actual statistics (population, etc would be easiest to prove)

Another topic I thought of is How long would it take you to visit all the Disney Parks, and what's 1 important fact to know about the culture that is represented in each location..and maybe say how long if you walked, drove, flew, etc from say Disneyland to WDW. Then to DLP, Disneyland Tokyo etc. I'm sure you could find a distance converter online for the math, use lots of pictures for graphics of the parks and add a little extra credit with a fact about that countrys' culture. Good luck!!! HTH!!

[jlima]

Originally Posted by glitzybabes

My dd11 needs a topic for her social studies fair paper. She wants to do something disney. She asked her teacher if she could do Who was Walt disney? and he said no, that he really did want a report. So we are having a hard time picking something. the topic needs to be in a form of a question. does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!

Why not look at how Disney changed Central Florida? She could analyze the population of Orlando from the mid-1960s through the present; its job base outside of the hospitality industry; how the city grew; and compare numbers pre-Disney and post-Disney.

Or do the same thing for Anaheim.

[disneymarie]

Originally Posted by glitzybabes

My dd11 needs a topic for her social studies fair paper. She wants to do something disney. She asked her teacher if she could do Who was Walt disney? and he said no, that he really did want a report. So we are having a hard time picking something. the topic needs to be in a form of a question. does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!

One thing could be all the exhibits that made hits at Worlds Fair, Ny, and Walt moved to the Park.

What the meaning was and why they still succed today, p
ie) The carrosel of Live and the update, The Presidential Hall and the updates.

That is historical changes in both. What else did he move? OH THE BIGGEST
Its a Small World!!!!!!

I enjoyed the Worlds Fair in NY so very much and it means a lot to share these exhibits with the family. DD is thrilled with Carosell she loves it so much and the dolls in Small World.
It has changed but is an exhibit that could be TIMELESS!

[CapeMayMommy]

This would not be a "fun" topic, but it is Disney. It is also probably too deep for an 11 year old.

As a clinical social worker, I am always struck by the recurrent theme of parental loss in Disney movies. I remember as a child, Bambi scared the heck out of me---maybe that is why I am not crazy about hunting to this day!!! Pinocchio had no mother and he lost his father, neither did Cinderella, Belle, Snow White or the Little Mermaid. Sleeping Beauty and Dumbo were taken away from their parents. Simba the Lion King's father was killed.

Parental abandonment is perhaps one of the biggest fears of childhood---yet Disney has thrived throughout the years presenting this theme to children.

Someone should write a college paper on this.

[golfgal]

I was also going to suggest something on the economic impact of Disney on Florida's tourism. "How did building Disneyworld create the tourism industry in Florida" or "How did building Disneyworld impact the tourism industry in Florida".

[laurie31]

What about these:

"Has the economy affected attendence at Disney World parks?"

"What does Disney World do to protect the environment?" (recycling, other "green" efforts)

"How has Disney's use of animation affected the movie industry?"

"How are the major Disney parks of the world different to reflect the culture of the country where they are located?" Hmm...that's wordy. Maybe "How did Disney adapt its theme parks to European and Asian cultures?"

Good luck to your DD.