The Earth Science Symposium Project

2013

Purpose

To investigate a question pertaining to Earth Science in the fields of Astronomy, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, or Environmental.

Product

Students, in pairs or individually, will create a presentation of their findings that is due the first week of April (after returning from spring break).

Problem Question
Hypothesis
Variables & Constants / TITLE
(pictures, charts, and graphs)
data / data / data
data / data / data
data / data / data
/ Conclusion
Challenges
Next Steps

A complete presentation will meet the following requirements.

_____A project board with the following:

3-5 page research paper (in addition to the title page)
Bibliography with at least 5 sources
Graphs and charts to organize data
Pictures from the investigation, research, or data

_____It will be presented to class (5 min) and displayed on the date of the symposium.

_____Students must also keep a “research tab” in their science notebook

documenting their work throughout the process.

Further Notes

This is a research investigation. You must have data! The data does not have to be collected through your own first-hand research. It can be data supplied by other sources, but analyzed by you.

Keep sound scientific procedures in mind. Isolate your variables, obtain plenty of data, etc.

You don’t have to identify a hypothesis immediately. Sometimes research leads you in new directions.

You will have reliable sources that are from a variety of media. You must have at least 5 sources and one must be non-internet such as books, paper periodicals, interviews, or emails to experts in the field such as professors.

Due DatesThese are subject to change (snow, etc.)

Feb4/Feb 5…All students will have turned in their initial proposals.

(project weight)

Feb 11/Feb12…All students have turned in their final proposal with approval.

(project weight)

Feb 19/20…Data / Research Check # 1. (project weight)

Feb 27/28…Data / Research Check #2. (project weight) * new addition*

March7/8…All students will have turned in their research papers. (project weight)

*Note: Plan ahead for your printer to explode the day it is due.

March 11/12…Final Data / Research Check #3. (project weight)

Spring Break March 23rd – March 31st

Teacher Workday / Student Holiday – April 1st

April 2/3…All students will present their projects to the class. (projectweight)

April 4/5… Symposium for all Biology and Earth Science Honors at LVHS

Suggested Online Resources

Aeronautics and Space Admin.

Geological Survey

Ocean and Atmospheric Admin.

Daily News

Scholar

Generator

Note: Please remember that Wikipedia, Yahoo, Google alone are not resources.

/ Earth Science
Symposium Investigation Proposal (INITIAL)
Spring 2013
NAME(S)______DATE______

1. Earth Science Topic – Circle One.

ASTRONOMY GEOLOGY METEOROLOGY OCEANOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENT

2. Write the specific topic you are investigating.

______

3.What is your problem/question?

______

4.What will you be experimenting with and/or researching?

______

5.Do you predict any challenges that may come with this idea?

______

6.What do you hope to find out and how will your findings be useful?

______

7.Name one source you all ready have.

______

8.List at least three sources you plan to use.

______

9.How will you tie in specific concepts from your Earth Science course?

______

10.What kind of data will you have? Describe how it would be organized or communicated.

______

11.I suspect that my experimental design may look like this.

Independent Variable ______

Dependent Variable______

Data______

Constants______

/ Earth Science
Symposium Investigation Proposal (FINAL)
Spring 2013
NAME(S)______DATE______

1. Earth Science Topic – Circle One.

ASTRONOMY GEOLOGY METEOROLOGY OCEANOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENT

2. Write the specific topic you are investigating.

______

3.What is your problem/question?

______

4.What will you be experimenting with and/or researching?

______

5.Do you predict any challenges that may come with this idea?

______

6.What do you hope to find out and how will your findings be useful?

______

7.Name one source you all ready have.

______

8.List at least three sources you plan to use.

______

9.How will you tie in specific concepts from your Earth Science course?

______

10.What kind of data will you have? Describe how it would be organized or communicated.

______

11.I suspect that my experimental design may look like this.

Independent Variable ______

Dependent Variable______

Data______

Constants______

Title

Student Name(s)

Date

Title

INTRODUCTION

(a “hook” for the reader, purpose)

RESEARCH

(required previous knowledge, research done for background information)

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND METHODS

(how will you conductionyour investigation?)

SOURCES

(Use MLA Format – easybib.com)

Symposium InvestigationName______

Rubric for Proposal

A proposal that is incomplete or not neat enough to read will not be accepted.

Proposal Criteria / 1
(51-69) / 2
(75-79) / 3
(85-95) / 4
(98-100)
Questions
#1-6
Your Idea / ___Answers lack any careful thought and appear to be answered “just to get it done.” / ___Answers are complete and reasonable, but would be better with more thought and care. / ___Answers are complete, rational, and thoughtful. / ___The quality of your answers reaches beyond the expected for an honors student of your experience.
Questions
#7-10
Sources and Data / ___Answers lack any careful thought and appear to be answered “just to get it done.” / ___Answers are complete and reasonable, but would be better with more thought and care. / ___Answers are complete, rational, and thoughtful. / ___The quality of your answers reaches beyond the expected for an honors student of your experience.
Question #11
Experimental Design / ___Too many parts are identified incorrectly and/or unclearly. / ___Most parts are identified correctly. / ___All parts are identified correctly and clearly. / ___All parts are identified correctly and clearly. In addition, the student includes identification of the control.

Note: There is a 5 point deduction for each school day late.

Symposium InvestigationName______

Rubric for Research Paper

A paper cannot be turned in unless it meets the following:

3-5 pages typed (in addition to the title page)
12 point size and black Arial/Times New Roman font
Double-spaced with 1 inch or less margins
Has a cover page
Written in paragraph form
Written without pronouns (no first person perspective)
Has a bibliography (with at least 5 sources that represent at least two types of media)

Paper Criteria / 1
(51-69) / 2
(75-79) / 3
(85-95) / 4
(98-100)
Introduction / ___Lacks a hook or relevant introduction. / ___It has a mildly interesting “hook.” It barely discussed the purpose. / ___It has a decent “hook.” It makes significant reference to the purpose. / ___It has an engaging “hook.” It clearly communicates the purpose.
Research / ___It includes basically no information in support. / ___It includes some information to help support the purpose and methods involved. / ___It includes sufficient information to help support the purpose and methods involved. / ___It includes a lot of interesting information to help support the purpose and methods involved.
Experimental Design and Methods / ___The methods are flawed, irrelevant, or missing. / ___The methods are somewhat defined and decent scientific procedures are included by flawed. / ___The methods are clearly defined and decent scientific procedures are evident. / ___The methods are clearly defined and sound scientific procedures are evident.
Sources / ___Less than 5 sources that are either not diverse and/or the format is flawed. / ___At least 5 sources that are either not diverse and/or the format is flawed. / ___At least 5 diverse sources from 2 different types of media in proper format. / ___More than 5 sources from 3 different types of media in proper format.

Note: There is a 5 point deduction for each school day late.

Symposium InvestigationName______

Rubric for the Presentation

A complete presentation will meet the following requirements.

_____A project board with the following:

3-4 page research paper
Bibliography with at least 5 sources
Graphs and charts to organize data
Pictures from the experimentation, research, or data

_____It will be presented to class (5 min) and displayed on the date of the symposium.

Presentation
Criteria / 1
(51-69) / 2
(75-79) / 3
(85-95) / 4
(98-100)
Board Presentation Format / ___Board does not have all required elements but has multiple inaccuracies. / ___Board has all required elements but has multiple inaccuracies. / ___Board has all required elements. Elements are mostly accurate. / ___Board has all required elements with fully accurate and consistent information and graphics.
Board Appearance / ___Board is not attractive and professional-looking. / ___Board is somewhat attractive and professional- looking. / ___Board is attractive and professional-looking. / ___Board is very attractive and stands out among the others in a professional manner.
Communication to the audience / ___Your investigation is not clearly communicated to the audience. / ___Your investigation is somewhat clearly communicated to the audience. / ___Your investigation is communicated clearly to the audience. You make eye contact, there is no mumbling, and you are prepared. / ___Your investigation is communicated clearly and you show enthusiasm and confidence. You may also include other props or materials to enhance your presentation.
Summary of Experience / ___You handle questions with much difficulty. You do not have a meaningful understanding of the significance of your outcome. / ___You handle questions but with some difficulty. You have trouble understanding the significance of your outcome. / ___You field audience questions with sincerity and accuracy. You know the significance of your outcome. / ___You field audience questions with sincerity and accuracy. You know the significance of your outcome. And you also discuss how this experience can enhance your future scientific endeavors.

Note: There is a 5 point deduction for each school day late.