The Turn of a Century Online Project
"That’s who we are … the sum of our memories." As we begin a new century and millennium, we have the responsibility to look back at the past and reflect upon its effects on our future and reminisce with friends and relatives who participated in the exciting events of the twentieth century. Just as our ancestors welcomed in the 20th century one hundred years ago, we are now taking part in the turn of a new century. What will the 21st century have in store? How will life change and what will we have to offer as we become leaders of the new millennium? The turn of a new century is upon us … It is our responsibility to learn from our ancestors, share in their memories, and become a part of this new beginning.
- Learn to publish online using basic HTML programming or selected web page editors
- Produce an online account of life in your community during each time period. Productions will be linked in the Turn of the Century Scrapbook.
- Write predictions for your community in the 21st Century in 2000s: A Look at Our Future.
- Examine World’s Fairs of the past and understand their significance to their times.
- Construct online exhibits to enter into the Meet Me in Cyberspace: 2004 World’s Fair.
- Visit and participate in the 2004 World’s Fair. Discover what we predict for our future.
Since The Turn of a Century will last for over five years, participation in this project may involve a large number of students. Teachers and students may elect to participate in the whole project or selective components.
A different project will be highlighted during two months of each semester between February, 2000 - October, 2004. Once students have completed their projects, they will either be linked via the University of Missouri-St. Louis Technology Learning Center server, or the individual school/district server. The time period projects will all follow a similar format and will be part of the project scrapbook and the Future project will follow a unique format and also be a part of the project scrapbook. The final World’s Fairs construction project will have a form of its own and will be displayed in the World’s Fair 2004 area.
Completed projects must follow the guidelines of the project, but demonstrate the creativity of the students and teachers. Suggestions will be discussed in the initial WebQuests, but participants are encouraged to use their own imaginations and styles. Action research is encouraged in order to personalize the projects. Since the focus is on school and community history and future, other members of the school and community may be interested in participating and sharing in these projects.
| Semester | Month/Year | Project Focus |
| 2000 Spring Semester | February 2000 | Introduction of the "Turn of the Century Project" Teachers may participate in a specially-designed WebQuest to assist them in working with their students in preparation of the activities. |
| 2000 Fall Semester | October and November 2000 | Students study, create and submit projects on the 1900's and 1910's |
| 2001 Spring Semester | February and March 2001 | Students study, create and submit projects on the 1920's and 1930's |
| 2001 Fall Semester | October and November 2001 | Students study, create and submit projects on the 1940's and 1950's |
| 2002 Spring Semester | February and March 2002 | Students study, create and submit projects on the 1960's and 1970's |
| 2002 Fall Semester | October and November 2002 | Students study, create and submit projects on the 1980's and 1990's |
| 2003 Spring Semester | February and March 2003 | Students study, create and submit projects on the future-2000 and beyond |
| 2003 Fall Semester | October and November 2003 | Students study the history of World's Fair |
| 2004 Spring Semester | February and March 2004 | Students construct exhibits to be included in the 2004 World's CyberFair |
| 2004 Fall Semester | October and November 2004 | Students visit the Fair and participate in a global
virtual World's Fair Celebration with closing ceremonies to take place in November Fair will remain online throughout the 2004/05 school year. |
To the Teacher
- Activities may be completed by individual students or teams.
- Schools will publish their own activities on district/school server. If a server is unavailable, the University of Missouri-St. Louis will host the school’s activities.
- Specific rules and guidelines will be made available closer to activity time. This includes rules regarding names, photos, etc.
- All activities will have the same basic WebQuest format. The time period WebQuests will have the identical form, but the others will be appropriate for the activity.
- The time period activities will be published under the Scrapbook link, and the World’s Fair exhibits will be published under the World’s Fair link.
World’s Fairs reflected the newest innovations and technologies of their time periods. With the advent of television, world’s fairs were no longer the gateway to the future; thus, they were diminished in the views of society. Our goal for this project is to create the virtual World’s Fair of today - for the whole world to visit. Join in the preparation for the Meet Me in Cyberspace World’s Fair of 2004.
