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SOCIAL ISSUES – Hispanic Heritage Month
TOPIC: Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th. What have been some of the major issues involving Hispanic Americans recently? Who are some of the contemporary Hispanic-American leaders?
SEARCH TERMS: Hispanics

ECONOMICS – International Monetary Fund Meeting
TOPIC: The annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank will be in Singapore this year. What are the functions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank? What will be some of the major issues addressed at the meeting?
SEARCH TERMS: International Monetary Fund OR World Bank

ENVIRONMENT – Earthquake from Louisiana to Florida
TOPIC: A 6.0 earthquake has struck the eastern Gulf of Mexico impacting states from Louisiana to Florida. What makes this earthquake so unusual? What was the impact/damage like?
SEARCH TERMS: earthquakes AND Mississippi AND Gulf of Mexico

ENVIRONMENT – Global Warming and Hurricanes
TOPIC: Scientists have found that global warming may be the cause of stronger hurricanes. If this is true, what is implied about the cause of global warming? What can be done about it?
SEARCH TERMS: global warming

SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS – Primary Results
TOPIC: Primary results of 9 states and DC have shown mostly incumbent wins with most attention being paid to the win of moderate Republican Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. What is seen as the significance of Chafee’s win? How can primary results help in predicting final election results?
SEARCH TERMS: primaries

EDUCATION – Harvard Drops Early Admissions
TOPIC: Top Ivy League college Harvard University has dropped its policy of early admissions. What is the reason for this change? How have other colleges and universities responded to this decision?
SEARCH TERMS: Harvard University AND admissions

HISTORY – Civil War Submarine H.L. Hunley
TOPIC: The first submarine in history to sink and enemy warship was the Confederate H.L. Hunley. Scientists have removed a hatch for study in an attempt to piece together some questions about its sinking. Where and when was the Civil War battle that sank the Hunley? What are some of the specifics researchers are looking for on the Hunley to learn more about the battle?
SEARCH TERMS: CSS Hunley

SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS
HEALTH – Where You Live Can Impact Life Expectancy
TOPIC: Dr. Christopher Murray of the Harvard School of Public Health combining the impact location of residence, race and income on life expectancy. Who came out as benefiting most? Whose lives are found most negatively impacted?
SEARCH TERMS: life expectancy AND research

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – Construction on the International Space Station
TOPIC: The first major additions to the International Space Station in nearly 4 years are now being constructed. What additions are being made? What are some of the problems the astronauts re having?
SEARCH TERMS: International Space Station

SPORTS RESEARCH TOPICS
SPORTS – College Football Rule Changes
TOPIC: The NCAA has implemented two new rules this season to speed up the game. What are they? Do the coaches feel that these rules will help the game?
SEARCH TERMS: football AND NCAA

SPORTS – U.S. Open
TOPIC: Roger Federer has won his third straight U.S. Open, making him the only tennis player to win 3 consecutive Wimbledons and 3 straight Opens. The women’s winner was Russian Maria Sharapova, winning her first U.S. Open. How many Grand Slams has Federer won in his career? What major title did Maria Sharapova win in 2004?
SEARCH TERMS: U.S. Open AND tennis

SPORTS – Agassi Retires
TOPIC: Andre Agassi has announced his retirement from professional tennis. Where was Agassi’s last tournament appearance? How has Agassi distinguished himself in his career that only 4 other players have done?
SEARCH TERMS: Andre Agassi

SPORTS – Roger Goodell Starts as New NFL Commissioner
TOPIC: Roger Goodell has replaced Paul Tagliabue as commissioner of the NFL. What position did Goodell hold before this election? What are some of the achievements of Tagliabue during his time as NFL commissioner?
SEARCH TERMS: Roger Goodell OR Paul Tagliabue

ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS
FILM AND TELEVISION – Islamic TV Network Bridges TV
TOPIC: Michigan-based Bridges TV, a television station that focuses on Islamic issues and culture is expanding its market. How many viewers are estimated to have access to Bridges TV? Who started the station and why?
SEARCH TERMS: Bridges TV

LITERATURE – Naguib Mahfouz
TOPIC: Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz was a Nobel Prize-winner. What city was the focus of his novels? Who has Mahfouz been compared to as a writer?
SEARCH TERMS: Naguib Mahfouz

PERFORMING ARTS – Symphony Orchestra
TOPIC: Many cities have a symphony orchestra opening its new season this month. What are some cities with a symphony orchestra? What are their concert plans for this season?
SEARCH TERMS: symphony orchestra AND season

PEOPLE – Steve Irwin
TOPIC: Steve Irwin, star of the popular reality TV show “The Crocodile Hunter”, was killed in a stingray attack while filming in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. What were Irwin’s contributions to animals in Australia?
SEARCH TERMS: Steve Irwin