Mark Mathabane, South Africa, author.

Martha Graham, U.S.A., dancer and choreographer

Aristotle, Greece, philosopher

Barbara Kingsolver, U.S.A., author

Guidelines to the actual meeting
Scoring guide to the meeting

Our “Meeting of Great Minds” will be held on January 21 and 22 in your IHS block, or during projects.    You will receive your final guidelines for the conference next January, but preparations will likely include the following:

• Dress as your Great Minds research subject
• Create a name placard that includes
  • Your subject's name
  • Decorative art work that reflects his/her contribution
  • Five intriguing facts about your “Great Mind”
• Bring an artifact that symbolizes the life or times of your research subject
• Practice a one-minute introduction (approximately) so that members of your discussion groups will know something about who you are and what makes you a “Great Mind”
• Be prepared to discuss, from the standpooint of your Great Mind, the following questions:
  • What have been the world's greatest inventions?
  • What is the biggest problem with society today? What is the best thing about today's society?
  • Is there too much sex and violence on TV, in movies and in video games? Who should decide? Is censorship an acceptable solution?
  • When, if ever, is violence acceptable? Under what circumstances, if any, is war ever justified?
  • Which contributes most to human understanding – books of history, books of science, or novels?
  • Should government (tax dollars) fund creation of art? Scientific research? Media? How should decisions be made about which projects or organizations to fund?
  • Should capital punishment be allowed?
  • What qualities make a great leader?
  • Do people have a right to oppose laws with which they disagree?
    
  Come prepared to “be” your Great Mind and to discuss issues and ideas with other Great Minds.   There will be plenty of opportunities to be creative – and have some fun!

Scoring Guide (50 Points possible)

_____1.   Costume (15 Points)

Dress should be appropriate for the great person being represented.   For example, if your great mind was Gandhi he might wear a robe and sandals or a suit from his career as a lawyer in South Africa.   If your great mind is Margaret Mead she might be wearing a field anthropologist's outfit or a business suit.   Go all out!   Be creative!

_____2.   Place Card (5 points)

Name of the great person should be carefully and neatly written.   The card should also include decorations and illustrations associated with your great person.   This card should be colorful and aesthetically pleasing.

_____3. Symbol/ Artifact (5 points)

The chosen symbol should be a 3-D object brought to the conference that reflects the great person's life, achievements, or philosophy.  

_____4.   Participation (25 points)

Introduce yourself, with a finely crafted one-minute speech, as your great person to the rest of your group so that members of your discussion group will know something about who you are and what makes you a “great mind. ”

Demonstrate a willingness and ability to share the views of your great person with other members of your discussion group to the various questions and tasks posed to the group.   Assist in taking notes for your group as well.

_____ Total Points (50 Possible Points)