ENGINEERING 100WLAB ASSIGNMENTDr. Thalia Anagnos

Objectives of Assignment:

  • Inform your boss at EnvironSJ about opportunities for and challenges of research in Antarctica.
  • Write paragraphs that each develop an idea and use a topic sentence to introduce that idea.
  • Compile information from multiple sources and create a useful, concise, organized summary.
  • Cite Sources and use quotes correctly.

Background: Dr. Jeanne Linsdell, Director of Technical Communications for the College of Engineering, spoke on Friday, January 30 about Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and their influence on ocean currents and global weather patterns (Linsdell, 2009). In her presentation she talked about the many multi-national multi-disciplinary research projects underway in Antarctica and the challenges of doing research in such a harsh environment.

In addition to attending her talk, I have posted several articles on the 100w website about current developments in Antarcticarelated to climate change.

Assignment:Next week Henrietta Adelie, President of EnvironSJ (your boss) will give a presentation to the Board of Directors on an opportunity to participate in an exciting climate research project. Recent collapses of the Wilkins ice shelf (European Space Agency, 2008) and results from a study on Antarctic temperature variation (Mittelstaedt, 2009) strongly suggest that Antarctica is indeed experiencing a change in climate. The scientific question is whether or not the climate change is manmade or due to naturally occurring climate cycles. EnvironSJ has been approached to submit a proposal to participate in a research study on ice disintegration. While participating in such a project is exciting, it can also be risky.

To help her prepare for her presentation to the EnvrionSJ Board, she has asked you to write a summary report that gives an overview of key issues. She has asked you to include:

  • why Antarctica is so important to our understanding of Earth and the environment,
  • some of the recent developments that support the need for more research on climate change in Antarctica, and
  • identification of some of the challenges that EnvironSJ must be prepared for in developing a proposal to do research in Antarctica.

Refer to your notes and feel free to include quotes from the speaker or other resources. A variety of resources related to Antarctica can be foundon theclass web site (click on Assignments).

Guidelines: The assignment must be turned in at the end of this class period and a copy MUST BE TURNED INTO TURNITIN.COM. The outline or diagram may be completed by hand, but the memo must be typed on the computer. Complete the memo with 12 point Times Roman font, 1 and ½ line spacing, and 1- inch margins.Write a minimum of three (3) paragraphs and a minimum of 1 ½ pages.

  1. Use an outline or a diagram to develop your ideas before you start writing.
  2. Write a memo, from you to Henrietta Adelie, that addresses the points listed
  3. Number your pages.
  4. Use headings to separate sections of your memo.
  5. Cite references in APA style.
  6. Include a “References” section at the end of your memo with properly formatted references.

Proofread your document before you print it. Sign it (next to your name at the beginning of the memo) and hand it in along with the planning document.

Grading:

Introduction giving memo purpose and scope2

Discussion of why Antarctic research is important and summary of recent

developments that support need for climate research4

Discussion of research challenges in Antarctica3

Conclusions providing overall recommendations about the research

References properly cited and plagiarism avoided2

Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation4

Total15 points

References

European Space Agency (2008, December 1). Antarctica: Wilkins ice shelf under threat. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 1, 2009, from /releases/2008/11/081128132029.htm

Linsdell, J. (2009, January 30). Antarctica Presentation, ENGR 100w: San JoseStateUniversity.

Mittelstaedt, M. (2009, January 21). Antarctica warming, not cooling, research reveals. Globe and Mail Update. Retrieved February 1, 2009, from
releases/2008/11/081128132029.htm

Page 1