InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Science and Society > Student Materials > Ponding the Waters: Impacts of Dams > The Nile River and Aswan Dam > Formative Assessment 1: The Nile's Sinking Future
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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 28, 2017

Formative Assessment 1: The Nile's Sinking Future

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

Read the assigned news article from Science linked below. Outline the tradeoffs (benefits vs. negative impacts) of having had the Aswan High Dam in Egypt. Consider economic costs and benefits, effects on the health of humans and the environment, impacts on indigenous cultures, and potential risks. Supplement your argument with additional examples from the course materials. No web-based encyclopedias please.

File

Read or download the PDF of J. Bohannon (2010). "The Nile Delta's Sinking Future". Science 327: 1444-1447. DOI:10.1126/science.327.5972.1444

Worksheet

There is no worksheet for this assignment. This assignment is an essay.

Submitting Your Assignment

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 »