TERM PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

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Assignment: You will present a report describing the geologic history of a segment of geologic time. The reports will be based on research and should describe significant rocks, fossils, and geologic structures present and place those features into a historical context. The specific minimum requirements and grading method are described below.

You will be in a group, and your group will present to the class a description of one of the following segments of geologic time:

• Proterozoic (March 19) - "The Dude"
• Cambrian & Ordovician (March 21) - Lily, Emma, Raymond
• Silurian & Devonian (March 26) - Allayna, Lauren, SJ
• Mississippian - Permian (March 28) - Ashlynne, Keira
• Triassic & Jurassic (April 2) - Suhart, Zika, Graeham
• Cretaceous (April 4) - Connor, Bailey
• Paleogene & Neogene (April 11) - Lyan, Tyler, Braxton
• Pleistocene & Holocene (April 16) - Carter, Roderick

The focus of my grading will be on substantial content, not length. The information given below is for your guidance. If you wish to deviate substantially from my suggestions, you must discuss your wishes with me. Each term project must be presented as:

• A 35 to 40 minute presentation to the class
• A summary outline (one to two pages typed, to be handed out to the class)
• Two essay and five multiple choice exam questions.

Visuals are required elements - at least two different types of these; they should be clear and easy to understand.

• Representative rock column
• Pictures
• Diagrams
• Maps - current and/or paleoreconstructions (required)
• Cross-sections

You can use visuals from the text, the internet, or any other source. You may wish to draw your own. The purpose is to illustrate what you are talking about.

Geotechnical terminology analogous to paleoreconstruction, dynamic isostatic readjustment, and anisotropic tectonothermal susceptibility should be'circumvented. Well, paleoreconstruction isn't so bad if you only use it once or twice, but I'd avoid the others.

OUTLINE

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• Introduction
  • Description of time segment
  • Overview of geologic history (a summary of your findings)
• Key global events
• Where were the plates?
• Three events that your group found interesting or enlightening.
  • What happened?
  • How do you know? (rocks, fossil, structures present)
• Life
  • new life forms
  • important life forms
  • extinctions
• What was happening in Illinois?
  • What was Illinois like at this time?
  • Describe the rocks & structures present from that time
  • Where can you go to see these rocks?
• Questions from the class

EXAMPLE RESOURCES

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• University of California Museum of Paleontology
• Paleomap Project (illustrates paleogrography and paleoclimate)
• Illinois State Geological Survey
• Field Museum Exhibitions
• Smithsonian Institution
• Burpee Museum

GRADE

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TOTAL SCORE = 100 pts.

Introduction

• Description of time segment - start and end dates
• General overview of findings - summary of the information covered.

Factual information: information is present, correct, and understood

• Plate Tectonics Overview - must include a discussion of where the plates were at the start and end of the time discussed.

• Events - must include a discussion of at least three events (sea level rise and fall, orogenic episodes, reefs, basins, etc.).

• Life - must describe the new life forms that first appear in the fossil record, key life forms that were wide spread and important, and major extinction events.

• Illinois - must describe what Illinois was like during this time, including the rocks and fossils present and where they can be found.

Overall elements

• Interpretation - information presented is interpreted using principles discussed in class

• Depth of information presented - more than a cursory examination of the topic, research provided interesting information beyond that of the textbook. Exploration means that you have looked into all of the areas relevant to your project area.

• Visual elements - visuals that support the presentation and are clear and easy to understand (pictures, maps, representative rock column are required); visuals must be used as part of presentation.

Presentation

• Concise - does not drag on, focuses on important points.

• Clear - appropriate for the audience (college-level students)