DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - SEPTEMBER TOPICS

1.   Discover where your name came from.  (This could be your first, middle, or last name, or even a nickname.)

2.   Discover your special "places to love," and tell us why you love being there.  You might share something you have that reminds you of that place.

3.   Discover natural disasters.  Think of some ideas for how much of the damage might be avoided or lessened.

4.   Discover an Oregon symbol.  (bird, flower, etc.)  Tell why it was selected and what it stands for.

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - OCTOBER TOPICS

1.   Discover a career (grown-up job) that interests you that requires science, math, or both.

2.   Discover superstitions and/or "old wives" tales.  Tell about one and its history (how it started).

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - NOVEMBER TOPICS

1.   Discover how to prevent/reduce crime in Redmond.

2.   Discover a famous Oregonian, past or present.  Tell us about him/her, his/her life, and why he/she became famous.

3.  Discover how memories are preserved, past or present. What does your family do to preserve special memories?

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - DECEMBER TOPICS

1.   Discover the law of supply and demand.  How does it affect the cost  of your holiday gifts?

2.   What holiday traditions does your family have that come from other countries or cultures?

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - JANUARY TOPICS

1.    Discover a way to make the new year your best ever - in school or at home.  Share your resolution(s) and the reason you chose it/them.

2.    Discover Mars.  Choose to tell about the Greek god for whom the planet was named, or explain what scientists have learned in recent years.

3.    Discover the Civil Rights Movement or one of the famous people involved in it, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, or Rev. Abernathy.

 4.    Discover where the months of the year got their names.  Do they have special meanings that fit the seasons?

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - FEBRUARY TOPICS

  1.    Discover where valentines came from. Why is it a "romantic" holiday.  Write a special valentine's poem for a school helper.  Share with the class, then plan to deliver the message!

 2.    Discover a famous African-American, past or present.  Tell about his/her life and contributions.

  3.    Discover pioneers.  Make a map of the Oregon Trail, or make a model of a prairie schooner, or draw your favorite explorer or pioneer.  Tell us about your project and how it relates to pioneers.

  4.    Discover healthy eating.  Plan a week's menu with your parent/guardian.  Plan for 3 meals/day plus snack.  Do a shopping list.  Go shopping with your parent to see how much it costs!

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - MARCH TOPICS

1.  What is the history behind St. Patrick's Day?  What would it mean if you wore orange instead of green?  Tell about Ireland's biggest ongoing problem past and present.

2.  Are you "lucky?"  Teach a game or do a trick where the "odds" of winning may not be good.  Learn about probability.  (You might ask your teacher for some game hints to share.)

3.  Let's go fly a. . .a. . .Well, let's learn about aerodynamics and how/why planes, kites, and birds fly.  You can teach paper airplane making, if you can show the reason it flies well!

4.  Spring is in the air, or will be this month.  Explain the vernal equinox (equi-nox) and why we are blessed to have seasons anyway.

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - APRIL TOPICS

1.  Discover Oregon's symbols.  Choose one (state bird, flower, flag, etc.) and remind us how and why it was chosen.

2.  Look at this pattern:   1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21. . .  Can you continue this famous number sequence?  It's called the Fibonacci sequence after the Italian mathematician who "discovered" it.  Discover Fibonacci and his life OR find examples of this sequence in nature.  (Hint: Count flower petals in multi-layer flowers for starters.)

3.  "We are pioneers!"  Discover one of your ancestors who was an Oregon "pioneer" in some way.  Who came here first?  When?  How?   Why?  What did he/she bring to Oregon's culture?

4.  With warmer weather comes more outdoor play--hooray!  Discover safety on bikes, skateboards, roller blades, or scooters.  Teach the class how to be safer while having more fun!

DISCOVERY QUEST SPEECH - MAY TOPICS

1.  Myths and legends are part of  a group's heritage.  Learn a Native American legend, and practice telling it like it would have been told by Native Americans years ago.  Don't read it!  Tell it with expression, emotion, and personality!

2.  Discover a type of poetry that doesn't thyme.  Show us how to write a haiku, or cinquain, or diamante. .. . Then again, some style of rhyming verse are fun too.  How about sharing limericks and showing how to write one?

3.  Warm weather also means accidents.  You should know some basic first aid in case of emergency.  Explain what someone your age can do in case of bleeding, chocking, or if someone isn't breathing.  You might invite a guest speaker to help you! 

4.  Who are the state senator and state representatives for Deschutes county?  Are they Republican or Democrat?  Find out about one of them--their family, jobs (normally), and views on things that are important to you.