InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Module 4: Understanding Sea Level Change > Assessments > University Park: Blended
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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These student materials complement the Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.

Blended

Objective:

The main objective of this assignment is to demonstrate your skill at accessing, downloading, analyzing, and interpreting tide gauge data for a period of no less than 50 years. By completing this assignment you should also be able to make well-founded predictions about the potential for sea level change in the foreseeable future both in terms of local sea level rise as well as more regional or even global trends.

Assignment Overview:

To begin, you will collect tide gauge data for three different sites located on different continents (or at least from different oceans) using the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level website. Once you have everything collected, you will output your chosen datasets to a spreadsheet program (Microsoft Excel) where the raw data will be plotted and used to calculate sea level change rates for the duration of your specific data records. Then, you will use these data to formulate forecasts for sea level rise in the future by projecting recent trends into the future. Last, you will submit a report showing a map of your data locations, data tables used to produce their sea level curves, and graphs showing your data and your forecast for future sea levels.


Files:

Completing the Assignment

  1. In order to complete the assignment, you will need to export all of your graphics from Excel and paste them into Microsoft PowerPoint. Both files are supplied so you just have to complete them
  2. It is best if you paste all figures and data as images (jpeg, png files, etc.), not as objects.
  3. The PowerPoint should include observations and inferences about each individual dataset, and the combined dataset.
  4. In the PowerPoint, you will want to summarize key observations and "Facts," "Inferences," and "Conclusions." These should be detailed, but concise by use of bullets. You should have some quantitative and qualitative statements for each of the three data sets.
  5. You will want to use tools in PowerPoint to label or highlight features of your graphics (i.e., arrows, circles, etc.)
  6. All slides should proceed logically from one to the next, and your presentation should transition into the comparative components where you discuss shared similarities and dissimilarities between the data sets and finally end with final conclusions and references.
  7. Be sure to proofread, be consistent in grammar and spelling, and make your document a cohesive, professional product. Use page numbers on every page.
  8. Provide a cover/title slide, a purpose/introductory statement that explains what the report is about, and a slide that shows the geographic location where each dataset was derived.
  9. Use an easy-to-read, attractive text and a color scheme that isn't distracting.
  10. Include your name as a copyright on every graphic and slide you produce. You might want to create a unique logo, not required, but would give you ownership of your ideas and a cool professional look. Make sure it isn't too busy that it distracts from your content.
  11. As you use references and data (and it is required), or images that are not your own... make sure you provide a citation to the resource. This means you MUST provide reference to the data you used (i.e., to PSMSL, NOAA, NASA or other reference). The PSMSL website provides an example on the website for you to follow when citing their work. Citation format is up to you, as long as it is consistent and clear so anyone can retrieve the data/resources you used if necessary.
  12. As you assemble this, assume that you will be giving this presentation to an educated community group, who is interested in sea level, but who might not be science-oriented.
  13. You should produce a presentation that might be 8-10 slides, and could be given in ~10 minutes, if you were to give this orally.
  14. Remember, ALL conclusions drawn from your analysis should be supported by fact, and clear.
  15. If you are short of the 8-10 slides, you might want to include some "outstanding questions" you have or "ideas for future research" as part of the Power Point.

Submitting the Assignment

  1. You will want to upload your Excel document and your finished PowerPoint to the course dropbox.
  2. Save each file titled as follows:
    1. LastName_FirstName_Module4_TideRecordAssignment_PPT.pptx OR
    2. LastName_FirstName_Module4_TideRecordAssignment_XL.xlx
  3. If your PowerPoint becomes too large to upload to the course management system, you should save it as a pdf document and upload that.
  4. Make sure you open the assignment once it is closed/saved to ensure it is of the quality you want it to be. Your assignment will be graded "as is" and re-submissions will not be possible.

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »