Catastrophic Events Research Project Parent Letter and Project Description

Due Dates:

Catastrophic Event Selected and Parent Letter Turned InTues – Dec. 3rd

Research Questions Answered for Part OneWed – Dec. 4th

Research Questions Answered for Part TwoFriday – Dec 6th

Research Questions Answered for Part ThreeDec. 11th

Rough Draft of Poster/Pamphlet or WebpageDec. 13th

Final ProjectDec. 17th

Dear Parents or Guardians,

Students will be working on a research project while studying Catastrophic Events. They will choose a type of catastrophic event, gather background information, research a specific incident of this type of catastrophe and learn about a technology used to forecast, predict or lessen the risks from this type of catastrophe.

Students will be given several class periods to conduct their research and create their report and graphic presentation but additional out of class time is necessary. Students are encouraged to use books, magazines, interviews and Internet resources to conduct their research. Since this project may require a trip to the library, e-mailing and Internet use at home and perhaps some help with time management, we wanted to let you know about this project.

Thank you,

Shanley O’Neil and Shon Holland 8th grade Science Teachers

Student to fill out:

The catastrophic event from the following choices (Landslide, Volcano, Lahar, Earthquake, Tsunami)

that I am going to research is: ______

This type of catastrophic event happened on ______(date)

in ______(location)

I have found the following 3 resources for my research:

1. ______

2.______

3.______

We have read and reviewed the requirements and due dates for the Catastrophic Events Research Project.

______

Student SignatureParent/Guardian Signature

Name ______Date ______Period ___

Catastrophic Events Research Project

Landslide, Volcano, Lahar, Earthquake, Tsunami

PART 1:

Select a type of catastrophic event from the list that you are interested in learning more about. Conduct research and answer the following questions about this type of catastrophic event.

  1. What catastrophic event did you choose and why?
  1. Why does it occur?
  1. How often does it occur? (Seasonally, Decade, Century, irregular)
  1. How large an area is usually affected by this type of event? (neighborhoods, counties, statewide, coastal zone)
  1. How long do people know before it occurs? (days, hours, minutes, seconds)

PART 2:

Find an example of when and where this type of disaster happened in Ohio, The United States or the world and which region(s) (areas) are prone to this type of disaster in the future.

  1. What type of catastrophe was it?
  1. When and where did the catastrophic event occur?
  1. What happened during the event to affect human lives?
  1. What physical damage and environmental effects resulted from the event?
  1. Were people prepared for the event, able to evacuate or taken by surprise?
  1. Where is this event likely to occur again in the same area and WHY?

Your answers to PART 1 and PART 2 should be submitted as an electronic document with the answers typed in the spaces provided under each question. Please save this document in the following format

LastName_FirstName_LastName_FirstName_Period_x_Cat Event report science

Failure to do so will result in points being deducted from your project

PART 3:

Research a current technology that is being used to predict the catastrophic event or reduce the damage caused by this type of catastrophic event. Present your research on the technology as a poster, pamphlet, or electronic document. Include the following information in your project.

  1. What is the piece of technology called.
  1. Images or illustrations of the technology: (What does the device look like and/or what does the data the device generates look like?)
  1. What does it do (predict, prevent, reduce damage, warn people, help evacuate)?
  1. Who developed it or who is using it?
  1. How does it work? What does it do?

Research Project Scoring Rubric

Rubric 1Quality of Content Weight: 50%

The typed answers include exemplary coverage of the catastrophic event and related information as required by the research questions. / Achieved above the standard
4
The typed answers include adequate coverage of the catastrophic event and related information as required by the research questions. / Achieved at standard
3
The typed answers include most but not all information on the catastrophic event and related content as required by the research questions. / Nearly achieved the standard
2
The answers include limited coverage of the catastrophic event and related information as required by the research questions. / Achievement below the standard
1

Rubric 2Presentation Design and AppearanceWeight: 40%

The poster, pamphlet, etc. clearly, effectively, and creatively displays the main ideas on the technology. Presentation is attractive and well organized. / Achieved the standard with honors
4
The poster, pamphlet, etc. clearly and effectively displays the main ideas. Presentation is somewhat attractive and organized. / Achieved at standard
3
The poster, pamphlet, etc. communicates some of the main ideas. Presentation is lacking in organization and structure. Appearance of presentation is satisfactory. / Nearly achieved the standard
2
The poster, pamphlet, etc. ineffectively communicates the main ideas and lack details and structure. There appears to have been little effort to make the presentation attractive and organized. / Achievement below the standard
1

Rubric 3Documentation of Research SourcesWeight: 10%

More than 4 sources are used to research the topic. There are a wide variety of types of resources. The Research Source Sheet is completed with accuracy and neatly. / Achieved the standard with honors
4
Three or four sources are used to research the topic. There is some variety of types of resources. The Research Source Sheet is complete, accurate and neat. / Achieved at standard
3
Two or three sources are used to research the topic. There are less than three types of resource. The Research Source Sheet is partially complete with some mistakes. / Nearly achieved the standard
2
One or two sources are used to research the topic. There are less than two types of resources. The Research Source Sheet is incomplete. / Achievement below the standard
1

Total Score=