U.S. State Homeschool Research Project and Presentation
A state research project can be part of a year-long United States geography or social studies curriculum, or a quick unit study at any time. Offer your kids their choice of states to research for this fun project. Keep reading for all the details to create a U.S. state research project your kids will love.
Assignment Requirements
First off, your kids will choose a state to research.
They will then use books, websites, documentaries, YouTube videos, maps, and more to find the required information. I’ve included a checklist below with plenty of ideas you can ask them to cover in their research.
During their research, they’ll probably come across additional interesting information they may want to add.
Finally, they should put everything together in a presentation of some kind.
You will probably want to give your kids a due date for their completed presentation. Obviously, this can be changed at your discretion, but a deadline is usually a motivating factor!
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Presentation Format
I like to give my kids choices whenever possible. Some kids like to write, some like to draw, some like technology. I usually offer them the option of a written essay, slideshow, oral presentation, or some combination of those.
In addition to those basic presentation formats, you may suggest writing a fictional story or play, making a movie, or creating a game that incorporates the information they learn. I’m always open to suggestions from my kids for ways they can demonstrate their learning. Creating a physical product like a diorama or model, an interactive timeline, or a collage are a few more ways my kids have asked to show what they learned. Encourage them to get creative!
Choosing a State
Your kids may want to research their home state, but if they aren’t sure which state to learn more about, here are a few ideas to help them decide.
- state they want to visit
- state you already have plans to visit
- home state of their favorite sports team
- state that is home to a city they are interested in
- home state of their favorite athlete, author, actor, singer, etc.
- state that is home to a college they’re interested in
Another way to decide is to have them watch a short video overview of the 50 states or skim through a book about the 50 states to choose one that sounds interesting.
Video Overviews of the 50 States
Tour the States (4-minute song that includes the capital cities, along with drawings and references to something each state is known for)
50 Places to Visit in Every U.S. State (8-minute tour of 50 beautiful places, one from each state)
U.S. States Visitor Information
Below, I’ve listed all 50 states, linked to their official tourism or visitor information state website. There are still free travel guides available in print format that your kids can browse through and use for pictures if they want to create a physical presentation.
U.S. State Research Questions
Even when your child is interested in learning more about a topic, they may have a hard time knowing where to start or what questions to ask. Here is a list of specific questions and areas of interest your child can consider when researching the state of their choice.
You can easily adapt this project to fit the learning level of your child. For upper elementary students, less questions and ones that are simpler to find might be sufficient. For middle or high school students, have them look into demographics, economics, or history to produce a more thorough presentation about the state. They may find one or two areas they are interested in to dig out more detailed information.
General Facts
- What is the population of the state?
- How many miles from my home state?
- How long would it take to drive there?
- What is the capital city?
- What are the major cities in the state?
- What is the state nickname?
- What is the state motto?
- What is the state bird?
- What is the state song?
- What is the state animal?
- What is the state flower?
Geography Questions
- What region of the United States is it in?
- What is the natural environment like?
- What types of landforms are present in the state?
- What are the weather patterns or general climate of the state?
- Where is the state located on a U.S. map?
- How big is the state (area)?
- How does the state compare in size to other states or other countries?
- Is the state mostly urban or mostly rural?
Historical Information
- When did it become a state?
- Who was president when it became a state?
- Who were the native populations in the state?
- Who settled the state?
- What did the state produce economically?
- What were some important political decisions in the state’s history?
- Who were some influential people in the state’s history?
Visitor Information
- What are the most famous or popular sights to see?
- How many visitors does this state receive annually?
- What are some unique places in this state that go overlooked?
- What types of activities do people visit this state to do specifically?
- What is the state’s travel or tourism slogan? What have been past slogans?
- How much money is generated by tourism annually?
Additional Research Questions or Topics
- Who are some well-known people from this state and what are they famous for?
- What is the name of a children’s book set in this state?
- Who are the state’s largest employers?
- What is the oldest known business in the state?
- What products or services are produced in the state?
- Which foods is the state known for?
- How did the state get its name?
- What is the median household income?
- What are the public transportation systems like?
- What do the state and local park systems look like?
- Which, if any, presidents lived in the state?
- What important bodies of water are part of the state?
- What natural disasters have occurred in the state?
- Which is the oldest known building known in the state?
- What are some well-known universities or museums in the state?
- Which major highways run through the state?
- What is the average age and life expectancy in the state?
- What does the education system look like in the state?
- What is the tax structure—sales tax, property taxes, gas taxes, etc.?
Your kids may explore many more additional questions once they begin researching. Encourage them to include whatever information is interesting to them.
Helpful Sources to Research U.S. States
Below, I’m listing numerous links your kids may find useful in researching their state. These include government websites, fun fact sites, and kid-friendly state information.
State Facts for Kids (U.S. Census Bureau)
Information and statistics for U.S. states (InfoPlease)
Printable state maps to label and add detail
Country sizes compared to U.S. states
National Geographic Kids U.S. States information
Fun facts about every state (Ducksters.com)
50 States Facts (unique fact about each state)
Facts about every state (50states.com)
Only in Your State (interesting places to visit in each state—best for middle or high school)
Video Links to Research U.S. States
The sources listed are kid-friendly, with the caveat that YouTube ads and suggested videos are sometimes wildly unrelated. I have found including my YouTube video links in Google classroom eliminates the ads.
U.S. States Videos for Kids (Homeschool Pop)
50 People Show Their State’s Accent (Conde Nast Traveler)
Best Desserts in Every State (Food Insider)
50 States Tour for Kids (Free School – not all 50 states included)
A Tour of the 50 States (435American – not all 50 states included)
50 States (Socratica – not all 50 states included)
State Research Project
A research project provides your kids with the opportunity to learn in a deep way. The suggested questions are a starting point to help them begin the process of looking for information. Along the way, they will likely have additional questions of their own and look for answers to them. They can learn to take notes on important information, compile their notes into a meaningful presentation to communicate their knowledge to others, and keep a record of their sources.
Increased autonomy in choosing how to present what they’ve learned allows your kids to learn in whatever way works best for them.
Don’t forget to check out my no-prep Great State Research Project for a print-and-go worksheet pack to get your kids started on their research!
Visit my homeschool resources page for monthly unit study ideas, projects, and homeschool planning help!
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State Research Report: Homeschool Project
