Case Studies Archive – Each case study is a compilation of USA TODAY articles on a specific topic and includes discussion questions, activities and a graphic organizer. The topics are as diverse as today’s world.
Each case study is in pdf format. Click the title to view or download.
Foodology 101
An examination of what, how and why we eat what we eat.
Global Economics
This case study explores the financial and monetary policy causes and effects of recent global economic trends and examines prospects for ongoing stability.
Media Literacy
This case study profiles key trends in media overall and examines the influences that shape them.
A Passion for Teaching
This case study profiles USA TODAY’s 2006 All-USA Teacher Team, all of whom have brought subject matter alive while inspiring and motivating their students with meaningful, engaging educational experiences.
Civic Responsibility
This case study examines growing community service outreach programs, and includes articles about student-led efforts, stories of celebrity influence and outreach, and letters from students themselves.
Medical innovations emerge from war
This case study focuses on the medical advancements and innovations that are a necessary byproduct of warfare.
Journalist Safety
This case study examines journalists working in Iraq, explores the various difficulties of wartime coverage and profiles several reporters’ experiences and daily challenges.
Cyber Security Awareness
This case study provides examples of some potential online dangers and offers recommendations on how to protect your personal information while networking safely and wisely.
Aeronautics/Engineering
This case study examines unique and interesting ways that engineering improves our quality of life.
Aeronautics Series: Part I
Anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ First Flight
This case study provides a historical overview of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ remarkable ride, while examining recent trends in space exploration, the airline industry and the future implications for both.
Aeronautics Series: Part II
News from Flight Industry and Technology Sectors
This case study explores the challenges the airline industry has recently faced, and how the resilience of American air travel has begun to meet them.
Character Education: A Passion for Teaching
This case study profiles USA TODAY’s 2006 All-USA Teacher Team, all of whom have brought subject matter alive while inspiring and motivating their students with meaningful, engaging educational experiences.
The Pope: Part I — The Legacy; Part 2 — Succession
This two-part case study analyzes the political, social and religious impact of the pope, and looks ahead to the issues surrounding his succession.
The Legacy of Ronald Wilson Reagan
This case study explores the legacy of Ronald Wilson Reagan and how each of us shape our own legacy.
Hazing
This case study will examine the causes and consequences of hazing, the social settings in which hazing occurs and ways students can work to stop hazing in their communities.
Civics, Government and Public Policy: Global Economics
This case study explores the financial and monetary policy causes and effects of recent global economic trends and examines prospects for ongoing stability.
Civic Responsibility
This case study examines growing community service outreach programs, and includes articles about student-led efforts, stories of celebrity influence and outreach, and letters from students themselves.
Elections and our Constitution
This case study looks at the campaigns, the voters, and the candidates with attention to recent news events. Explore how major issues, such as immigration, gas, Medicare, Iraq and scandal could affect midterm races.
College Exploration: SATs
This case study reviews the new SAT changes and offers sample questions, provided by The Princeton Review.
College Finance
This case study explores the cost of a college education, grant and scholarship programs and the value of a degree. In addition, it provides essay writing tips and an essay writing activity, as well as a review of key terms and definitions used in essay exams.
Community College
This case study examines the changing nature of community colleges – from their primary goal of educating lower-achieving students to the trend of elite schools prospecting at them.
Decision Making: Teen Spending
This case study tracks teens on a mission at the mall, doing back-to-school shopping for themselves.
Financial Literacy: Financial Diet
This case study uses USA TODAY’s recent Financial Diet series of articles to examine debt, money management, saving and investing.
Global Education: Rebuilding Iraq
This case study gives students the opportunity to research the challenges confronting Iraq’s post war leadership including the political transition and the rebuilding of infrastructure and services.
Disease & Society
This case study explores new ways of thinking about the relationship between socio-economics and disease, the implications for disease control and the resulting health care delivery.
Eating Disorders
This case study examines current research on eating disorders.
10 Toughest Athletes: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
This three-part case study will countdown the “10 Toughest Athletes” as determined by USA TODAY’s sports journalists, examining the physical, mental and social makeup of each.
Healthy Kids
This case study examines the cultural, social and practical angles of school cafeterias and physical education classes.
Obesity
This case study looks at an environment which health advocates increasingly view as problematic, particularly for young people, where they often feel overwhelmed by the evolving standards for nutrition and exercise.
Writing Skills
This case study provides lessons for teachers seeking to hone their students’ writing skills while engaging them in thoughtful written expression.
Harry Potter
This fun case study, presenting opinions from critics and fans alike, provides a platform for students to engage in reflective reading and writing about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Multiculturalism / Diversity: Indian Culture Comes Home
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian showcases the political and cultural heart of Native peoples. This case study examines the museum’s historical and architectural significance.
Hispanic Vote
This case study analyzes Hispanic voters’ political agenda and the factors that influence their civic decisions.
