InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Science and Society > Student Materials > Module 7: What is in your water? > Contaminant Example 2: "Dead Zones" and Excess Nutrient Runoff > Formative Assessment 2: Dead Zones
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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 Water Science 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.
Initial Publication Date: March 31, 2017

Formative Assessment 2: Dead Zones

Instructions

In 100-150 words, you are expected to express a succinct, informed response to the question, based on the module content and assigned readings. In most cases, there will be no specific correct answer, but your stated position must be supported.

Question

Analyze the apparent tradeoff between crop production and the need to apply chemical fertilizers in the upper mid- western US and the deteriorating seafood catch in coastal Gulf of Mexico resulting from eutrophication and hypoxia there. (Hint: you could argue from economic standpoint, or environmental justice point-of-view, or another aspect). As always, you are expected to use one or more references to information from the module or assigned reading to support your argument.

Submitting Your Paper

Bring your typed and printed answers to class.

Scoring and Rubric

Each answer will earn a maximum of 25 points, as described in the rubric below.

Rubric
Work ShownPossible Points
Provides a well-reasoned response to the question posed10
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure5
Includes one or more references to specific materials in Module or assigned reading5
Appropriate length (100-150 words)5

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 »