TERM PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Project Resources | Project Grading

First off: Don't Panic! The main requirement will be for you to apply and share what you have learned. You will be able to work on this throughout the course and may discuss it with me at any time. You can revise your mid-term project for a better grade.

Assignment: This class is meant to provide you with the tools to understand and respond appropriately to some of the natural hazards you may encounter in the future. For this project, you will apply the concepts learned in the class by preparing two (2) term projects. Each project will discuss one natural hazard and how that hazard impacts the area where you live (or an area where you might like to live). The projects will be presented as a term paper accompanied by a brief, on-line presentation (you may submit a Power Point or a Prezi). Specific requirements are listed below.

Revision: A very important aspect of the project is the opportunity for revision. Many students do not fully understand the requirements, the depth of information needed, where to find the information, or my expectations. The grade and comments are intended to provide guidence so you can revise the mid-term and so your final project can be more in alignment with my expectations. You should contact me (in-person or vai email) for clarification on any aspect of the grade or my comments.

• Project 1 paper and presentation must be submitted to me on or before Sunday, March 16, 11:59 pm. (The project will receive a preliminary grade and will be returned for revisions.)
• Project 2 term paper and presentation (and any revisions to Project 1) must be submitted on or before Monday, May 5, 11:59 pm.

Length Each project will be graded based on content, so the primary requirement is that the points listed in the outline are all covered.

Area Covered Each project should focus on a town or township where you live or where you might like to live. Describing the hazard with respect to a county, region, or state is not focused enough. Your goal is to look at the potential risk to, impact on, and planned response by a community such as a city or town or, if you live in a rural area, a township. (There are some instances where a larger area, such as a county, might be appropriate; you should contact Mr. Phillips regarding this option.)

Hazard Covered Each project should discuss a hazard generally, not a single event. Single events should be included in the history section and can also be used in the consequences section to discuss the likely consequences of future events.

Resources This web page has on-line resources I encourage you to use. You should also use resources from the weekly unit pages linked on the schedule.

• Introduction
  • Description of the area you are discussing. The area should be a town or township where you live or where you might like to live. You should include a map of the area. (A county is, in most cases, too large.)
  • Description of the hazard. You need to describe the hazard and how it works. You can include simple diagrams as illustrations.
• For the hazard you need to provide the following (cover these points, not necessarily in this order)
  • History: Describe the history of the hazard in your area.
    • List significant occurances and discuss several.
    • Include maps and images that show the area(s) impacted and the extent of the impact.
  • Risk: Explain the probability that this hazard will impact you and the people in the area in which you live (or might like to live).
    • What is the likelihood that this hazard will impact your community? Explain the overall probability this hazard will impact the area as well as more specific information about where the risk is greatest and when the hazard is more likely to impact the area.
    • Include maps, charts, graphs, etc., to illustrate the risk.  Maps of at risk zones are especially useful.
  • Consequences: Describe the potential consequences of the hazard to your area (be sure to cover the most likely as well as the worst case).
    • Explain what would happen if the hazard hit your community.
    • Use examples from past events.
    • Describe vulnerable areas in the community and what would happen to those areas.
    • Describe how the hazard is linked to other hazards in the area.  In other words, what other hazards might be triggered by the primary hazard discussed in the report.
  • Response (part 1): Describe how the hazard is currently addressed
    • Describe the current plans the city, county, and/or state have in place should this hazard take place. (Contact the local emergency response agencies to see what they plan to do.)
    • Describe long-term plans to make the community more resilient as well as emergency response plans for when the hazard actually impacts the community.
    • Include special structures, planning maps, and other responses to the hazard.
    • NOTE: Recommendations for individuals may be included, but this section needs to describe the community's response plans.
• Response (part 2): Describe how the hazard could be better addressed.
  • Explain what you think are the good and bad points of the current plan.
  • What else could/should the community do to address the hazard.
  • Explain why you think this would be an improvement.
• Summary
  • Overview of your findings
  • Discuss the impact this report has had on you.
• References
  • You must cite all of your sources!!! (textbook, maps, books, local officials, etc.)
  • Use a standard format such as APA, MLA, or Chicago Style
  • Material in the text must be cited within the text.
  • Works Cited/Reference page should be in alphabetical order.
  • Use the Tutoring & Writing Center (in ASC) and StyleSite!
• Figures - You need to illustrate your report and presentation; geology is a very visual science, maps and diagrams are extremely useful for explaining points.
  • Maps, pictures, tables, diagrams
  • Must be discussed in the text
• Presentation
  • An overview of the report suitible for sharing with the local government and/or someone planning to live in the area
  • No new information (A viewer who wants more details can read the report.)
  • Highlight key findings from the report
    • Location
    • Hazard
    • History
    • Risk
    • Consequences
    • Response
  • Use visuals from the report

Grading: EACH project is worth 100 points as indicated on the grading sheet. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are worth 10% your grade.

Please use the Tutoring & Writing Center (in ASC) and Stylesite

Questions: If you need help, please ask me.

SPECIAL NOTES

Filename: The file name should be in the following format: lastname(project #).(filetype) example: phillips1.rtf OR phillips2.docx OR phillips1.pptx

File size: You should reduce the file size to ensure it can be submitted in BlackBoard or via email

• MS Word: Under the File menu, select Reduce File Size... and then select On Screen (150 ppi) from the pull down menu. Check the box next to Delete cropped areas of pictures. Apply to: All pictures in this file should also be selected.
• MS PowerPoint: Under the File menu, select Compress Pictures and then select On Screen (150 ppi) from the pull down menu. Check the box next to Delete cropped areas of pictures. Apply to: All pictures in this file should also be selected.

References: I do not expect you to be all knowing; the information in your reports will be the result of research and observation. When you obtain information from a source, you must cite that source!!! If you make an observation, indicate that you observed it.

Visuals: You should include pictures and maps to illustrate you findings. These visuals should be used within your report by calling out from the text to the map or picture to show the reader what you are talking about.

Interpretation/Conclusions: To receive full credit, you must make conclusions based on your observations. This is key to receiving maximum credit. This project is intended to allow you to apply what you learn in the class and, at the same time, show me that you understand the material and can use it to interpret the area where you live. I expect to see indications that the material you include in the report means something to you.

Sources of information: You should consult government sources for information on the hazard, history, risk, consequences, and response. This includes:

• local government (city and county) for response plans such as building codes, warning systems, and emergency responses
• state and federal government for response plans, history of the hazard, and risk maps