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An American Road Trip - Student Page

The Mission

In this task, you are seeking the answer to the question, “Which part of the country is better for college students to visit?”. This group of people really likes to have fun, but also loves to learn. They cannot agree on which part of the country they should visit. The collegians have contacted your agency to help them with this problem.

You are to act as travel agents, whose point of view is, "traveling to your region is more exciting and educational for college students to visit." You know that the group has 4 members and has $3,000 to spend during their 10 day trip. They will be traveling by car and want to visit at least 2 historical landmarks, monuments, or places. As such, you are expected to map out the route that they will travel to get to their destinations and to return home. You will also provide a possible day-to-day itinerary for their trip. The group will also need places to stay and eat during their adventure. Remember, if the group runs out of money they will not be able to complete their journey.

You must create a possible travelogue convincing the group to visit your part of the country. Each group must have a person assigned to one of the following roles: map researcher (find the best routes based on miles), location researcher (find important information, places of interest), itinerary recorder (record day-to-day events). You will know that you have successfully finished when your travelogue is complete with pictures of interesting places and things to do, a map detailing destinations, and an expense report. You will also have to present a visual presentation (PowerPoint, KidPix, Astound, or HyperStudio) to the group, highlighting the most exciting points. The presentation will be videotaped for the collegians to view.

You have three weeks to complete this task. A list of possible resources will be provided. Happy Trip Planning!

The Process

Your teacher will help you form a group of 3-4 members. Each team member has an important role...
1. map investigator (find the best routes, miles)
2. location researcher (find places stay, eat, visit)
3. itinerary recorder (record day-to-day events)
4. budget manager (keep track of spending)
Identify which US Region (Midwest, Southwest, Northeast, South, Southeast, etc.) your group is assigned to and what states are included in that region.
Prepare a work journal that you will use to keep track of your work and progress (individual). Remember that your journal will be checked periodically and turned in at the end.
Brainstorm a list of things you will need to do (what is involved in planning a trip, what types of things can go wrong).
View a sample travelogue online. RoadTrip America (travelogue) http://www.roadtripamerica.com/
Gather information about your region: places to stay, eat, visit (from websites, maps, travel brochures, magazines, etc.). Remember, you will need pictures to place in your travelogue.
Decide which things are most helpful to help you meet the criteria.
1. group made up of four college students (remember they don't want to visit places where they live)
2. $3,000 to spend during their trip
3. 7 days to spend on the trip
4. traveling by car
5. must visit at least 2 historical landmarks, monuments, or places
6. map of the route that they can travel to get to their destinations and return home
7. provide a possible day-to-day itinerary for their trip
8. places to stay and eat during their adventure
Set up a budget/expense report (money for car, gas, places to stay and eat, cost of places that they may visit).
Provide a map determining the best route to travel (a travel route, mileage, destination points, etc.).
Plan the look of your travelogue.
Design your visual presentation. Remember, you need to persuade the group that visiting your region will be most beneficial to their goals.
Display your final information that you will present to your audience.
Each team member will compose a written explanation of the choices your team made and why.
Evaluate your work and the work of others using the TEAMWORK rubric.