InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Science and Society > Student Materials > Module 8: Cities in Peril: Dealing With Water Scarcity > Module 8.2: Cities in Peril: Future climate change, population growth, and water issues > Formative Assessment 3: Future Scenarios
InTeGrate's Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
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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.

Formative Assessment 3: Future Scenarios

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

Think of two different places with different climates that you are familiar with (e.g., Syracuse, New York and Flagstaff, Arizona, but not your hometown...that will be the focus of the Summative Assessment). Briefly describe the two different climates, the landscapes, ecosystems, and water resources, as best you can with limited additional research on the web. From Figure 3 and Figure 4, describe what the climate models predict will happen in each of these locations in terms of precipitation, runoff, soil moisture, ect.. What impacts would you expect those changes to have? How might water quality or availability be impacted? How might the economy or society be impacted? How might vegetation or fish species be impacted? Are there particular actions you might suggest to mitigate or adapt to expected climate change in these locations?

Submitting Your Essay

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 »