STUDENT NAME______PERIOD______

Topographic Project – PreAP Science

For this project students will need to build a model of land. Any type of formation or combination of different land features is fine. Students must also make a topographic map based on the model that they make as well as a profile image. This is an individual project. Each student will work independently.

CAUTION: cliffs and any type of over-hanging land are very difficult to map and should be avoided. Steep slopes are ok.

For this project money does not really need to be spent. There are lots of items for which you could build your model out of, many you may already have lying around the house. Listed below are just a few of the many possibilities:

Clay, paper mache, wire frame, card board cut and stacked, paper board, plaster, Styrofoam, news paper, etc…. There are no requirements for what the model is actually made out of - feel free to get creative!

CAUTION: whatever the model is made from it needs to be sturdy enough to be transported to school without breaking. Some science teachers may offer special times that they will allow the projects to be brought in early. Students should listen for those times that they can bring in the projects.

Land Formation Model Requirements – SIZE

The size requirements are very important. If the model is too big we won’t be able to store them in the class room.

  • Minimum of the tallest point 15 cm
  • Maximum of the tallest point 55 cm
  • Minimum base area 15 cm x 15 cm
  • Maximum base area 40 cm x 40 cm
  • Is not one simple shape - like the cone we did in class - have some fun and be creative!

Land Formation Model Requirements – WHAT TO BUILD?

  • Any land formation is fine so long as it fulfils all of the project requirements.
  • Students should not make one simple cone structure
  • A visual representation of how water would flow from Position 4 to Position 5 on the model

Land Formation Model Requirements – POSTION FLAGS

  • Flag 1 – Must be at the highest elevation on the model
  • Flag 2 – Must be somewhere on the slope that is the steepest
  • Flag 3 – Must be somewhere on the most gradual slope
  • Flag 4 – Must be more that half way up the model and NOT on a flat area
  • Flag 5 – Must be in the same area and at least 5 cm below the elevation of flag 4

Topographic Map Requirements – MAP DETAIL

  • Map needs to be accurate and match the model built
  • Minimum of 7 contour lines on the map (more is welcome)
  • Any interval for elevation is fine – but the interval must remain consistent
  • All five Position Flags marked on the map in the correct location
  • Draw how water would flow from Flag 4 to Flag 5 in BLUE on your topographic map

Profile Image Requirements - IMAGE DETAIL

  • Profile map needs to be made from the topographic map
  • Profile map needs to be accurate

Grading Rubric for Topographic Project - PreAP Science

SUMMATIVE GRADE

The Model You Build

5 Requirements not met
0 pts / 4 Requirements not met
5 pts / 3 Requirements not met
10 pts / 2 Requirements not met
15 pts / 1 Requirement not met
20 pts / All requirements met
25 pts / ____/25

Flags on Your Model

0 flags on your model
0 pts / 1 flags in appropriate location
5 pts / 2 flags in appropriate location
10 pts / 3 flags in appropriate location
15 pts / 4 flags in appropriate location
20 pts / All 5 flags are in an appropriate location
25 pts / ____/25

Topographic Map You Make

No topo. map turned in
0 pts / 4 Requirements not met
5 pts / 3 Requirements not met
10 pts / 2 Requirements not met
15 pts / 1 Requirement not met
20 pts / Topo. map matches perfectly with model
25 pts / ____/25

Profile Image You Make

No profile image turned in
0 pts / Profile image has 4 noticeable errors
5 pts / Profile image has 3 noticeable errors
10 pts / Profile image has 2 noticeable errors
15 pts / Profile image has 1 noticeable errors
20 pts / Profile image is a perfect match to topo. map
25 pts / ____/25
TOTAL SCORE

IFthe project is turned in from 12/5/11 to 12/9/11 there is a chance that the student may have the option to go back and fix errors on; the model, topographic map, and/ or profile image. If that chance is open the student could earn up to half way closer to 100%. Example: student gets 80% on the first try and goes back and fixes all errors, they would now be at 90%.

Last day the project can be turned in is Wednesday 12/14/11

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