South Carolinians for the Common Good

Multimedia History Project 20142015

$150 Award for Best Submission
10 Outstanding Submission Awards $15 Prizees

More About Our Multimedia History Project

Students in South Carolinas eigth grade social studies classes are invited to participate in the first annual South Carolinians
for the Common Good Multimedia History Project sponsored by The Ben Robertson Society of Clemson University. The contest
is designed to help middle school students conduct historical research and craft persuasive arguments as they think about
Palmetto citizens who have contributed to the common good. Their chosen citizen may be young or old, famous or newly
discovered, rich or poor, man or woman but one who has enlarged the freedoms of others within our states history.
Middle grades students will get to engage in authentic historical processes as they seek to publish their work within The Ben
Robertson Societys Online Museum. Their published work may also be used to help South Carolina historians revise and enlarge
our ongoing historical story.

Ben Robertson Jr., an international correspondent and writer,

contributed to common good within South Carolina
and beyond as he fought for human rights locally and throughout the world.

Procedures and Standards

Any student enrolled in an eighth grade South Carolina social studies course may participate in the South Carolinians for the
Common Good Multimedia History Project. The persuasive multimedia essay must be submitted to The Ben Robertson Society
on a CD via regular postal service on or before May 15 (see submission form). Historians and members of Clemson Universitys
The Ben Robertson Society Advisory Board will evaluate these essays using the following standards:
(60 Points) Offers a strong, persuasive argument that explains why the selected Palmetto person or group has helped enlarge
the freedoms of others (i.e. contributed to the common good) within South Carolina or beyond. To be considered for publication,
the multimedia argument must have:

a provocative opening and clear position statement that suggests the freedom-enlarging efforts of the selected Palmetto
citizen or group of citizens (10 points),

at least three good reasons for why the selected individual or group has helped others in their struggles to be more free;
these reasons or claims should each be supported with good examples as well as explanations (or warrants) for why these
examples are indeed relevant to the argument (30 points),

at least one counterargument and a rebuttal of it (10 points), and

a summative conclusion (10 points).

Contact and Mailing Info

For more information, please contact
Dr. Bea Bailey
Professor, Social Studies Education
The Eugene T. Moore School of Education
Clemson University
cbeatri@clemson.edu
864-650-2987

Please mail CD and permission form to:

Dr. Bea Bailey, Director
South Carolinians for the Common Good
Multimedia History Project
University Center
Suite D6 Office H
225 South Pleasantburg Drive
Greenville, SC 29607

Sponsored by The Ben Robertson Society

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Permission Form
South Carolinians for the Common Good Multimedia History Project
Students Name _________________________________

School ___________________________________________________

Teachers Name _________________________________

Date ____________________________________________________

________________________ (student name) and _______________________, (guardian name) give our permission for The Ben Robertson
Society to publish this South Carolinians for the Common Good Multimedia History Project submission within The Ben Robertson Society Online Museum
if it meets the standards set forth within the project. We realize that the student, school and teachers names will be included along with the multimedia
project. We also realize that the project may be used for education or research purposes. No images of the student can appear within the multimedia project.
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
Students Signature
Guardian or Parents Signature
__________________________________________________
Teachers Signature
A permission form is needed for each student within a group submission. Please attach the teachers professional card or his or her school contact
information to this form.