InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Future of Food > Student Materials > Section 2: Environmental Dynamics and Drivers > Module 4: Food and Water > Summative Assessment:
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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 Future of Food 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.
Initial Publication Date: January 3, 2018

Summative Assessment:

Kansas Farm Case Study

Water is essential to growing food, and the source of water for food production is either naturally occurring precipitation or irrigation from surface or groundwater. The application of fertilizers and pesticides to crops results in the production of water pollution. We can incorporate water resources into our Coupled Human-Natural System diagram, where the climate of the natural system determines the availability of water for food production. The response in the human system is to develop irrigation systems where necessary and implement conservation and efficiency measures in time of scarcity. Also, application of fertilizers and pesticides results in water pollution, which impacts the water quality in the natural system.

Instructions

In the summative assessment for Module 4, you'll apply what you've learned about coupled human and natural water systems to a particular farming scenario in Pawnee County, Kansas. You'll consider the precipitation in Kansas, the crops you could grow with that precipitation and then look at crop yields for different crops using irrigation. Finally, you'll consider the impact on water resources if you were to shift the types of crops grown and irrigation practices on a farm in Pawnee County, KS. The assignment is explained in the worksheet below.

  • Download Module 4 Summative Assessment Worksheet:
  • Download Excel spreadsheet for calculations for Module 4 Summative Assessment
  • The discussion portion of the worksheet is incorporated into the weekly discussion post. For the online course, you will not be quizzed on the discussion portion of the assessment but will answer similar questions in the weekly discussion.

Grading Information and Rubric (not applicable for online course; grading rubric for in-class assessment activity).

Rubric
CriteriaPossible Points
Part 1: Precipitation
Precipitation rates from map are correct2
Part 2: Crops
List of crops correctly represents crops that could be grown with natural precipitation4
Part 3: Irrigation Efficiency and Crop Yield
Scenario table correctly populated with results from the Crop Water Allocator14
Part 4: Discussion and Synthesis
Includes correct usage of the concept of water footprints and connection between diet and water consumption.5
Clearly explains connections between farming, water scarcity, dead zones, and irrigation efficiency. Also demonstrates clearly the connection between increased water consumption and impacts to water resources, including quality and quantity impacts, such as nutrient pollution and groundwater depletions.10
Well-written, proper spelling and grammar, and uses complete and well-crafted sentences.2
Logical presentation of topics. Reasonable length.3
TOTAL40
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 »