Complete your own investigation of the work that your government does.
Hopefully this lesson has expanded your knowledge of the role of government agencies in improving our nation and the world. You briefly explored the role of two agencies in particular--NASA and the FBI. Now, it's your turn to do a little research of your own and share what you find out.
Choose a government agency that interests you, gather information about that agency, and create a brochure, slide show, or video to present your research. When you create your product or publication, it might help to imagine that you work for that agency and have been asked to create a marketing tool to help the general public understand what your agency is, how it works, why it is important, and some of the work it has done.
Possible agencies include the CDC, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NOAA, the National Park Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, the CIA, the Coast Guard, and the Peace Corps. You can access a full list of government agencies here: A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies.
Your final product should include these elements; however, you may deliver them however you wish:
the mission statement of the agency or department
what the agency/department provides or its role in government
a brief history of how and why the agency came into existence
an example of two important projects the agency has completed or information it has provided
an explanation of how the agency's work has impacted the nation or its citizens
images or other visuals that represent the department or agency
the agency's role in relation to other agencies or how it works with other agencies
Use the worksheet below to guide your research.
View Brochure Rubric
View Slide Show Rubric
View Video Rubric
Brochure Rubric×
Points
Criteria
Basic Facts
10
Your brochure includes key information about the agency, such as its mission statement and its role in meeting the responsibilities of the government.
Background
10
You describe the agency’s history, including when and how it was established.
Projects and Programs
10
You describe at least two projects that the agency has completed—or programs it runs, and you explain the impact of this work on the nation and its citizens.
Visual Elements
10
You include images, graphics, and other visual elements that effectively convey the purpose and projects of the agency.
Presentation
10
Your brochure is laid out or organized in a way that’s easy for readers to follow, and you provide enough interesting details to keep readers interested.
Slide Show Rubric×
Points
Criteria
Basic Facts
10
Your slide show includes key information about the agency, such as its mission statement and its role in meeting the responsibilities of the government.
Background
10
You describe the agency’s history, including when and how it was established.
Projects and Programs
10
You describe at least two projects that the agency has completed—or programs it runs, and you explain the impact of this work on the nation and its citizens.
Visual Elements
10
You include images, graphics, and other visual elements that effectively convey the purpose and projects of the agency.
Presentation
10
Your slide show is laid out or organized in a way that’s easy for viewers to follow, and you provide enough interesting details to keep readers interested.
Video Rubric×
Points
Criteria
Main Idea
10
Your video includes key information about the agency, such as its mission statement and its role in meeting the responsibilities of the government.
Background
10
You describe the agency’s history, including when and how it was established.
Reasons
10
You describe at least two projects that the agency has completed—or programs it runs, and you explain the impact of this work on the nation and its citizens.
Examples
10
You include images, graphics, and other visual elements that effectively convey the purpose and projects of the agency.
Presentation
10
Your video develops in a way that’s easy for readers to follow, and you provide enough interesting details to keep viewers interested.
Hopefully this lesson has expanded your knowledge of the role of government agencies in improving our nation and the world. You briefly explored the role of two agencies in particular--NASA and the FBI. Now, it's your turn to do a little research of your own and share what you find out.