Short Geology Research Paper

Mary C. Gorte

Delta College

This activity has been reviewed by 2 review processes (view details)

This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Reviewed Teaching Collection

This activity has received positive reviews in a peer review process involving five review categories. The five categories included in the process are
- Scientific Accuracy
- Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
- Pedagogic Effectiveness
- Robustness (usability and dependability of all components)
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This activity has benefited from input from faculty educators beyond the author through a review and suggestion process. This review took place as a part of a faculty professional development workshop where groups of faculty reviewed each others' activities and offered feedback and ideas for improvements. To learn more about the process On the Cutting Edge uses for activity review, see http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/review.html.

Initial Publication Date: May 26, 2008 | Reviewed: January 17, 2015 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

Students are assigned to take a topic and research it in some depth, beyond the discussion in the class or in the book. The paper is 4-6 typed pages in length. Suggested topics include geologic hazards, geologic resources, solar system etc. Corresponding diagrams and charts are recommended. Minimum of two references.

Geoscience | College Introductory

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Context

Audience

Introduction to Physical Geology (see course profile)

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Student must understand basic geologic concepts and principles. Student is pushed to answer pertinent and scientific questions (i.e. how did this happen? What are the forces that caused this phenomenon? How do we know?) Student must be able to convey information in an organized, scientific manner.

How the activity is situated in the course

This assignment comes at the end of the semester building on all the classroom learned geologic concepts and principles.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

To study a geologic event or phenomenon and understand the how, why, where and what,and when. The student must be able to convey these concepts in an organized and logical written form.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Students should think through geologic concepts learned and apply to their topic. For example, how did this structure form? Is California going to experience another earthquake soon? Why or why not? How do we know?

Other skills goals for this activity

Other skills for this assignment include writing concisely, logically. Students must know how to reference.

Description of the activity/assignment

Students are given guidelines and suggested topics for their research paper. Pertinent questions students should consider are also provided. Examples from previous students are also provided.