Wonders of the World Research Project and Presentation
Looking for a fun and engaging project to use as part of your history or geography curriculum? Or maybe a quick around the world unit study project? Offer your kids their choice of world wonders to research for this fun learning activity. Keep reading for all the details to create a Wonders of the World homeschool research project your kids will love.
In 2001, the New 7 Wonders Foundation in Switzerland began a worldwide voting campaign designed to choose seven new wonders of the world from among a selection of about 200 options. HundredS of millions of votes were received, and in 2007, the following seven monuments were selected.
- Chichén Itzá
- Christ the Redeemer statue
- Colosseum
- Great Wall of China
- Machu Picchu
- Petra, Jordan
- Taj Mahal
Assignment Requirements
First, your kids will choose one of the 7 new wonders of the world 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 should give your studentss 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
Whenever possible, it’s helpful to give kids choices. Some kids like to write, some like to draw, some like technology. 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!
Read: 60 Creative Ways to Demonstrate Learning
Choosing a World Wonder to Research
Your student may already have a preference, but if they aren’t sure which of the 7 wonders to learn more about, here are a few ideas to help them decide.
- one they want to visit
- someone they know has visited
- they are interested in the country where it is located
- they’ve seen a movie or TV show using the location in a scene
Another way to decide is to have them watch a short video overview of the 7 wonders or skim through a book about the wonders of the world to choose one that sounds interesting.
Video Overviews of the 7 Wonders of the World
Seven Wonders of the Modern World (7 minute video that includes footage of all 7 wonders)
Seven Wonders of the World 2022 (Quick narration-free tour of the 7 wonders with a few facts about each)
Wonders of the World Helpful Links
Below, I’ve listed the seven new wonders of the world with links to helpful websites your students can use to research information about the structure. I’ve also included a video source for kids who learn well through visual inputs, and you’ll find a vast amount of additional video content on YouTube.
The sources listed below are kid-friendly, with the caveat that YouTube ads and suggested videos are sometimes wildly unrelated. I have found including YouTube video links in Google classroom eliminates the ads.
Chichén Itzá
- https://www.chichenitza.com/
- Chichen Itza HISTORY article:
- Chichen Itza on worldhistory.org
- Chichen Itza at 7wonders.org
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chichen Itza
- Inside Chichen Itza – National Geographic (YouTube)
Christ the Redeemer Statue
- wonders-of-the-world.net: Christ the Redeemer
- Google Arts & Culture: Christ the Redeemer
- Christ the Redeemer at 7wonders.org
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Christ the Redeemer
- Architectural Digest article about new, taller statue
- Christ the Redeemer Aerial 360 Video (YouTube)
Colosseum
- https://www.rome.net/colosseum
- Roman Colosseum HISTORY article
- Colosseum on worldhistory.org
- Rome’s Colosseum at 7wonders.org
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Colosseum
- Building Rome’s Colosseum – National Geographic (YouTube)
Great Wall of China
- Google Arts & Culture: Great Wall of China
- Great Wall of China HISTORY article
- Great Wall of China on worldhistory.org
- Great Wall of China at 7wonders.org
- National Geographic Education: Great Wall of China
- China’s Great Wall From Above – National Geographic (YouTube)
Machu Picchu
- Peru Travel
- Machu Picchu HISTORY article
- Machu Picchu on worldhistory.org
- Machu Picchu at 7wonders.org
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu 101 (YouTube)
Petra, Jordan
- Visit Petra travel site
- Petra HISTORY article
- Petra, Jordan in worldhistory.org
- Petra, Jordan on 7wonders.org
- National Geographic: Petra
- Petra, Jordan – BBC (YouTube)
Taj Mahal
- wonders-of-the-world.net: TajMahal
- Taj Mahal in HISTORY article
- Taj Mahal on 7wonders.org
- Smithsonian Magazine: Taj Mahal
- Google Arts & Culture: Taj Mahal
- Story of the Taj Mahal – Free School (YouTube)
Wonders of the World 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 world wonder 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 structure or monument. They may find one or two areas they are interested in to dig out more detailed information.
General Facts
- How many miles is this monument from my home?
- How big is it?
- How does this place compare in size to something else?
- Why is it considered a wonder of the world?
- What is the meaning or origin of the structure’s name?
- Can you find any interesting stories related to this place?
Geography Questions
- What country or region of the world is it in?
- What is the population of this country?
- What is the capital city of this country?
- What major cities are nearby?
- Is this in an urban or rural area?
- Can you locate where this is on a world map?
- What is the natural environment and surrounding landscape like?
- What are the weather patterns or general climate of the area?
Historical Information
- When did construction begin?
- What was happening in the area at the time of construction?
- What purpose or function did the structure serve?
- Who ordered it to be built and why?
- Who actually did the building?
- When was construction completed?
- Who was in power when construction was completed?
- How long did it take to build?
- Was the structure ever damaged or destroyed?
- What materials were used in building?
- What building methods were used?
- Were there any innovations used in building this structure?
Visitor Information
- Is it open to the public?
- How many visitors does this monument receive annually?
- What important information should tourists know before visiting?
- What are the most famous or popular things to do or see when visiting?
- Would you put this on your bucket list of places to visit?
Additional Research Questions or Topics
- If you were asked to decide on one more structure to add to the 7 Wonders of the World list, do you have any suggestions?
- Can you find a book, movie, or TV show using this wonder in a scene?
- What was life like for everyday people who lived here when this structure was built?
- What animals are native to this area of the world?
- What plants and crops are native to this area of the world?
- What natural resources are present in this area of the world?
- How much would it cost to build this structure today?
- What laws of physics or mathematics are essential to building a structure of this kind?
- How important was beauty or aesthetics in the building of this structure (form vs. function)?
- What group or government is responsible for maintaining this structure now?
- How were these 7 new wonders of the world chosen?
Your kids may explore many more additional questions once they begin researching. Encourage them to include whatever information is interesting to them.
Additional Helpful Research Material
Below are links to some additional resources your students may enjoy using for this project.
7 Wonders of the World Homeschool 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 Wonders of the World Homeschool Research Project for a print-and-go worksheet pack to get your kids started on their research!
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