SCI 100 Project 3 Guidelines and Rubric Overview There are three projects for this course. In Project 1, you began your exploration of a natural science topic by selecting a news story and completing a topic exploration graphic organizer. In Project 2, you continued your analysis of the news story and the natural science topic and ultimately developed a question that, as a natural scientist, you would like to study. In Project 3, you will develop a presentation that discusses why your question is important and the value of studying the natural sciences. Project 3 will assess the following course outcomes, which you will focus on throughout Themes 3 and 4: ● ● Investigate major developments in the natural sciences for informing critical questions that drive scientific inquiry Articulate the value of the natural sciences for their impact on contemporary issues Prompt Using the question that you posed in Project 2, explain why the answer is important for understanding yourself, other people, and the world around you. In addition, you will discuss how the natural sciences have developed to help us answer these important questions. Your presentation should include speaker notes so that your instructor knows what you would be saying if you were actually giving the presentation. The critical elements of this project will be evaluated by the information in your presentation. Be sure your actual question is apparent in the presentation. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Why is the question you identified important to you as a member of society? II. Explain how finding the answer to your question might impact others around you. For example, who might be most interested in the answer to your question? III. Explain why studying the natural sciences is valuable. In other words, what is the benefit of studying topics in the natural sciences? IV. Describe the major developments in the natural sciences related to your topic. Use course resources to back up your discussion. V. Detail the major developments in scientific thinking that support the study and advancement of the natural sciences as necessary and valuable. Use course resources to back up your discussion. VI. How do these developments in the natural sciences and scientific thinking inform questions about the topic in your news story? In other words, what is the relationship between major developments in the natural sciences and the questions that natural scientists are interested in? VII. Discuss the obligation that you have as a citizen of your society to understand the science behind issues that impact you every day. For instance, how can being a more scientifically informed member of society benefit you and your community? Review this document to help you create your presentation. Supporting Work and Resources Throughout Themes 3 and 4, there are several opportunities to work directly on different elements of this project: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. In Learning Block 5-1, you will consider the benefits and value of studying the natural sciences. In Learning Block 5-3, you will identify the major developments in the natural sciences that are related to your topic. In Learning Block 6-2, you will think about how developments in scientific thinking impact the way science is carried out. In Learning Block 6-3, you will reflect upon how developments in the sciences influence the types of questions that researchers ask. In Learning Block 7-1, you will question the importance of your selected topic and research question to you and the world around you. In Learning Block 7-2, you will consider the benefits of understanding the science behind issues that you see in the news, and you will consider how it might impact those around you. You will also practice creating a presentation that addresses these issues. 7. In Learning Block 7-3, you will consider the ethical concerns of your selected topic. 8. In Learning Block 8-2, you will again consider the importance of being an informed citizen, and you will reflect on the value of understanding and studying the natural sciences. Project 3 Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your presentation should use Prezi, PowerPoint, or a comparable presentation tool and include speaker notes. Ensure that your presentation includes the question you posed at the end of your question development worksheet. Note: If using Prezi, be sure to include a Word document with notes. If using PowerPoint, be sure to include speaker notes. Critical Elements Question Answer Studying the Natural Sciences Major Developments in the Natural Sciences Major Developments in Scientific Thinking Inform Questions Exemplary (100%) Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation demonstrates mature awareness of connections between the question and being a member of society Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation demonstrates mature awareness of connections between answer to the question and impact on others Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation demonstrates insight into value of natural sciences Meets “Proficient” criteria, and description demonstrates insight into major developments in the natural sciences Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates insight into major developments in scientific thinking Meets “Proficient” criteria, and explanation demonstrates insight into relationship Proficient (85%) Explains why question identified is important to a member of society Needs Improvement (55%) Explains why question identified is important to a member of society, but with gaps in clarity or detail Not Evident (0%) Does not explain why question is important to a member of society Value 11.75 Explains how finding answer to question might impact others Explains how finding answer to question might impact others, but with gaps in detail or clarity Does not explain how finding answer to question might impact others 11.75 Explains why studying the natural sciences is valuable Explains why studying the natural sciences is valuable, but with gaps in detail or clarity Does not explain why studying the natural sciences is valuable 11.75 Describes major developments in the natural sciences related to topic, supporting response with course resources Describes major developments in the natural sciences related to topic, but with gaps in support, detail, or accuracy Does not describe major developments in the natural sciences related to topic 16 Details major developments in scientific thinking that support the study and advancement of the natural sciences as necessary and valuable, supporting response with course resources Explains how developments in natural sciences and scientific Details major developments in scientific thinking that support the study and advancement of the natural sciences as necessary and valuable, but with gaps in support, detail, or accuracy Explains how developments in natural sciences and scientific thinking inform questions about Does not detail major developments in scientific thinking that support the study and advancement of the natural sciences as necessary and valuable 16 Does not explain how developments in natural sciences and scientific thinking 16 Obligation Articulation of Response between major developments in science and questions that drive scientific inquiry Meets “Proficient” criteria, and response demonstrates insight into relationship between citizenship obligations and impactful issues Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy to read format thinking inform questions about topic in news story topic in news story, but with gaps in detail or clarity inform questions about topic in news story Discusses obligation as a citizen of society to understand science behind impactful issues Discusses obligation as a citizen of society to understand science behind impactful issues, but with gaps in detail or clarity Does not discuss obligation as a citizen of society to understand science behind impactful issues 11.75 Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas 5 Total 100% Running head: SCI 100 PROJECT 2 1 SCI 100 PROJECT 2: Name: Institution affiliation: Date: SCI 100 PROJECT 2 I. 2 Why did you select this news story for scientific and personal study? In other words, what was it about the news story that interested you or made you curious? The science daily story which focuses on new evidence, I.e., mercury buried in ancient rocks that suggest regional volcanism in the Siberian Traps played a significant role in the Permian-Triassic extinction event that took place 252 million years ago, is of interest to me since it highlights events that have led to mass extinction. In the story, it is pointed out that not only did mercury result in a mass extinction, but the rising temperatures also played a crucial part in contributing to the number of deaths that occurred. A relationship has been shown between the impacts of the change in temperature that occurred 252 million years ago that was as a result of volcanic eruptions and the current change in temperature that is attributed to human activities (University of Cincinnati, 2019). II. What prior knowledge and assumptions about the science topic did you have before viewing this news story? In other words, describe what you already knew about the topic. Prior knowledge relating to the Permian-Triassic extinction was that a volcanic eruption in the Siberian Traps caused it. However, there was no conclusive evidence to back this claim since the hypothesis was that the massive release of volcanic gasses in the atmosphere resulted in acid rain that, in turn, caused mass extinction. Therefore, scientific evidence that supports the claim that Permian-Triassic destruction resulted from a volcanic eruption is of great importance. Other than the knowledge that acid rain which was caused by the release of volcanic gasses resulted in Permian-Triassic extinction, knowledge relating to the impact that changes in temperature had on living things was also known (Metcalfe & Isozaki, 2009). This knowledge was obtained from sources other than the article that had focused on Permian-Triassic extinction. SCI 100 PROJECT 2 III. 3 How does this news story relate to the natural science concepts covered in the course? In other words, which principles of natural science are relevant to the news story you selected? Natural science is concerned with the prediction, description as well as comprehension of natural phenomena based on empirical evidence from experimentation as well as observation. The news story that asserts that the Permian-Triassic extinction resulted from a volcanic eruption is in line with the scientific concept of describing and understanding natural occurrences based on evidence from experimentation. It is through experimentation that researchers discovered mercury embedded in ancient rocks to support the hypothesis that mass extinction 252 years ago resulted from volcanic activities (University of Cincinnati, 2019). IV. What question related to the topic in the news story would you, assuming the role of a natural scientist, like to study? Use your previous responses and the list of questions that you posed in your topic exploration graphic organizer to select one question that interests you. How will the current rising temperatures that are as a result of the release of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere through human activities, which have a close relationship to the changes in temperature that occurred 252 years ago that contributed to mass extinction, bring about the sixth mass extinction? SCI 100 PROJECT 2 4 References Metcalfe, I., & Isozaki, Y. (2009). Current perspectives on the Permian–Triassic boundary and end-Permian mass extinction: Preface. Journal Of Asian Earth Sciences, 36(6), 407-412. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2009.07.009 University of Cincinnati. (2019). New evidence suggests volcanoes caused biggest mass extinction ever: Mercury found in ancient rock around the world supports theory that eruptions caused 'Great Dying' 252 million years ago. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190415122249.htm SCI 100 Topic Exploration Christie Lucas Link to article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160627160939.htm Topic (Describe the topic discussed in your news story, providing details about the background of the topic.) Volcanoes occur when magma rises to the earth’s surface, due to its light nature than the rocks. Magma is formed from the melting of the earth’s mantle. The melting might take place at the point where the tectonic plates are pulling apart or where a plate is pushed down beneath the other. Magma erupts through the vents before it turns into lava and flows onto the surface. Thick magma makes gas bubbles not to penetrate the surface easily; hence, the pressure increases with a rise in magma. Too much pressure, however, leads to an explosive eruption, which is dangerous and poses massive destruction. Volcanoes are hazardous and cause massive amounts of damage both to the environment and to living creatures. Main Idea (Identify the main idea or thesis in the news story you selected.) One in ten people in the world lives within the range of active volcanoes. Active volcanoes are about 1510 in the world. Volcanoes have an effect on the environment. They can cause rain, thunder and lightning and can cause a change in the weather. They also have an effect on the climate, having the world cooler. The effects are, however, lethal to people and animals. The fast-moving lava kills people, and the volcanic ash makes breathing difficult, resulting in death. Volcanoes also result in famine, earthquakes and fires, which also contribute to the deaths. Additionally, people lose possessions due to volcanic eruptions, houses get destroyed and other belongings. Lava poses a threat to animals and plants too. An example of a volcanic mountain that erupted was Mount St Helens, which resulted in deaths of several animals approximately 24,000. This depicts the damages that volcanoes can have on the environment as well as to people and animals. Supporting Evidence (Describe the evidence that supports the main idea or thesis of your news story.) Reports from science daily have indicated that volcanoes were responsible for massive extinction ever experienced. This is supported by ancient rocks found containing mercury that caused the massive deaths in about 252 million years back. The extinction was widespread, leading to scientists naming it the “ the great dying.” The catastrophe saw more than 95% of the earth’s living dead. Paleontologists, in partnership with China University and the University of Cincinnati, which deal in geosciences, found a spike in mercury looking at the geological records in several sites in the world. This provides a basis for agreeable evidence that the volcanic eruptions were actually to blame for the world’s cataclysm. The volcanic eruptions sparked vast deposits of coal which released mercury vapour in the atmosphere. Subsequently, this rained down to the marine sediment on earth that ended up proclaiming the age of dinosaurs. The mass extinction got rid of aquatic and land life before the dinosaurs rose. The eruptions lasted for several years, having frequent and prolonged lasting occurrences. The eruptions released as much as three million cubic kilometres of ash into the air during that period. That could not be compared to that of Mount St Helen, which only had a kilometre up in the atmosphere. The eruption threw too much greenhouse gases and other materials in the air, which resulted in the earth warming up to 10 degrees centigrade. The warming climate, acid rain which raised the acidity in oceans, and warm water that lacks dissolved oxygen, are all that resulted from the eruptions which lead to the mass extinction. The extended periods of the eruptions lead to prevention of the earth’s food chain recovery. Another instance is the volcanic eruption in Tambora in Indonesia that occurred in 1815, which killed over 92,000 people. The ash that was sent into the stratosphere that saw the earth’s climate cool for more than a year. The volcanic eruption led to diseases, crops destroyed, and water contaminated. Mount Ruiz in Columbia is also an active volcano which had two eruptions in 1985, which were destructive, leading to the death of 25,000 people. Mount Krakatoa also in Indonesia erupted in 1883 killing over 35,000 people. Questions (Your questions should be based on the main idea and supporting evidence that you identified.) 1) Can volcanic eruptions be predicted before they actually take 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) place in the future? How high can explosive eruptions of volcanoes go and how far can the debris and ash be collected? Exactly how are volcanic eruptions supposed to last? What are the signs that a volcano is about to erupt? Why are some eruptions violent, while others are gentle? What are the causes of volcanic eruptions? Does human activity contribute to the eruptions? Information (Identify the types of sources that you could use to find more information about the topic discussed in your news story and the questions you posted.) There are books and research made on volcanoes and their eruptions that would help in obtaining the necessary information concerning the eruptions and the damages they pose. University websites are also relevant; they give information on research on volcanic eruptions and their causes. A useful source is a research given by science daily, which gives the latest research news on scientific topics, including volcanoes.
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