Department of Earth Science          Northeastern Illinois University

CHICAGO ROCKS!  Geology in the City               return to course homepage                           J. Hemzacek homepage            
ESCI 109       FALL 2011                                                                                     
                             Term Project Details and Deliverables                                                            

Team Project    (Multiple Due Dates)              useful resources
                                                                                 (online maps)
Team Contract   Thursday, 3 November
Team email      Tuesday, 8 Nov
Field Trip Plan   Tuesday, 22 Nov
Field Trip Report   not later than 7 pm on Monday, 12 Dec
Poster       same as final exam period... not a regular class time!!
                                       (see syllabus for info)
Team Citizenship Evaluation  due with final poster
         each team member must complete this form individually;
         you will assess all team-mates, including yourself!!

Poster Grading Rubric: Your checklist!		 Individual Research
      ***clarification regarding final format***

      initial (team) email due 8 Nov, not later than 1:00 pm
              see topic choices here

     Final Due Date:  Thursday, 8 December
               must be submitted as a file attachment via email,
               not later than 5:00 pm on this date

               Overview - what is this assignment?
               Research Task - what you will do
               Format of Assignment - what you will turn in
               *useful info: proper format of citations
                 
      Individual Research Rubric: your checklist
              note!  there was an error in this document, making it
              inconsistent with the other assignment information. 
              This has now been corrected.
   

                                          Project Resources

Topographic Maps Proper Citations
of references		      

 

Topographic Maps
 Maps are available for use in the
ESCI tutor room, BBH room 130.

You can also access topo
quad maps ONLINE, which will allow you to print, copy, & edit (e.g., you can mark points of interest); simply follow the directions to the right.
 

 

 

 


  

  • Go directly to the "USGS Store -- Map Locator"
    (or go to the USGS Store, and then click on Map Locator on the left side)
  • scroll down the page a little bit, and you will see a map and, next to it, the label "Step 1"
  • in the SEARCH box below "Step 1", type in the name of a place (e.g., a town or a point of interest)...
    OR (this is best when you know the quad name!!) type in the map quadrangle name, and then use the drop-down menu to change the  "search type"  from 'address or place' to 'USGS map name'
  • click GO
  • the map will change to show the area you selected, with one or more red markers.  Click on a marker to see a list of available maps, and then click on "download" for the map of interest.  The topo quads will be listed as type '7.5 x 7.5'; you will also (for a number of the maps) now see an option for "digital-beta".  These are larger files (takes longer!) and are not the standard topo maps that you need.   
  • You will be asked whether to "open" or "save" the map.  These can be large files, so you can simply select open... unless you want to save the map on your computer.
  • It will take a little while to 'unzip' the file.   When the process is finished, double-click on the icon for the pdf file, to open the map in Adobe Reader/Acrobat.  Note that you will often get a 'pop-up' window asking you to download an add-in application; click on 'NO', and the file will open just fine.
  • you can use the 'zoom' tool (looks like a magnifying lens) in Adobe to zoom in to an area of the map; then you can use the horizontal and vertical scroll bars to browse different areas of the map.
  • When you find a feature of interest, you can use the "select graphic" tool (it looks like a camera in the tool bar; or it is available under 'Tools' - 'Select' - 'Snapshot' or 'Select graphic') to copy and then paste that area of the map into a new or existing file. 
  • Don't forget to cite your source, and keep a record of what the map shows!  Note the map name and state, as well as any additional information that would help you to find the specific point again; use the examples under "proper citations" below to give a full reference for the map.
Proper Citation of Resources Examples of proper citations for various types of resources (books/ journals; webpages; maps) are given
in this document. 

Be sure to completely and properly cite your sources!!
   

 

 Team project details and assignments
Overview and Organizing    

Project Goal:  Investigate the geology of a specific geologic feature and present your findings in a visual display.

Overview of Project Requirements 
  m  Work as a team.  All team members are responsible for the products.
  m  Investigate your topic using library resources, web resources, maps, and field investigations.
  m  Communicate your findings to the class via a poster presentation.

Project Deliverables
  m  Homework: Several homework assignments will involve parts of the project. 
               Details are given throughout this page; for the list of assignments, go to top
  m  Poster Presentation:  Produce a poster that follows the project requirements and that illustrates your findings.
  m  Team Citizenship Evaluation:  At the end of the project, everyone will rate their own and their team members' participation.  The team deliverables will receive a single team grade.  Individual adjustments of the team grade are made at instructor's discretion, based on the results of the Team Citizenship Evaluation. 

Organizing:
As discussed in class (and already done, I hope!), the first steps in this process include the following:
   w Share contact information with your teammates, including e-mail addresses and alternate contact information.
   w Communicate with any members not present to keep them "in the loop".

Team assignments to help you stay on track:
 1 -   Team contract:  Team name, contract elements, signed by all team members
2 -   Team email: with list of individual topics
2 -   Team email:

*Remember that a "team email" means that all team members are included in the cc: line of the email.
Format of a team email includes:
TO: (your instructor)
cc:  (all team members)
RE: ESCI 109 sec xx (fill in your section number!)
In the body of the email, include title of your project area, as well as all team member names (it is not always clear from their email addresses!)

All team members are responsible for making sure that team email assignments reach all team members and the instructor, by the deadline.  If you are sending, and you receive an error message, use alternate contact info to verify the correct email address for a team member.  If you are not sending the email, but haven't received a copy of the email before the deadline, contact your team-mates to ensure that the email WILL be sent! 
On all team assignments, you should have a back-up plan to make sure that the work is submitted on time!
 
  Team project assignments and suggestions
Team Contract           

Your Task:  Work together to write a Team Contract, signed by every team member.  The Contract must spell out the group's expectations for all team members with regard to good team citizenship, as discussed in class.  In addition, the Contract should address the team's responsibilities to its members.

Assignment Requirements
   The Contract must be typed and turned in as 'hard copy'.  
  The Contract must be signed by all team members and submitted at the beginning of the class period on the due date.   A copy of the contract should also be distributed to each team member.
  The Contract must use the following format and include all the components listed.

Team Name                                 
ESCI 109, Section ___         
Name of Project Study Area

Team Contract

AGREEMENTS
The Contract may include whatever details the group agrees upon, but at a minimum it must contain information to address these aspects of working together to achieve a goal:
  *  how the team will meet deadlines/due dates
       (include a back-up plan!)
  *  how to achieve equitable distribution of workload
  *  expectations for interpersonal interactions,  and
  *  handling of disagreements

 

 

 

  The Team Contract ALSO must include the following paragraph:

By signing below, each team member acknowledges and understands that any member defaulting on their team responsibility is not only letting down the team on this project and missing out on a wonderful learning experience, but also risks earning a grade of zero for the team project element of the course (10% of total course grade).  

 

SIGNATURES
At the bottom of the document, include the typed, full name of each team member, followed by a space for the team member signature and date. 

For example:
Name _____________  Signature ____________  Date _______
Name _____________  Signature ____________  Date _______
(etc.) 
 
    Team project assignments
FIELD TRIP PLAN     

Your team has started to explore your study area, and you should have an idea of some of the major geologic and/or topographic features that you want to check out. 
You will compose a (preliminary) plan for your field trip, including:
    (A) when will your team field trip(s) occur: date(s) and time(s) that you have confirmed, OR some possible dates/times that you are considering (if you have already had your field trip by this due date, this part should be easy!); 
    (B) at least one specific site that you plan to visit within the study area, and why (what characteristics of your geologic feature will be seen there? Why is this particular location a good one to visit?)
    (C) travel logistics: how will each of the team-mates get there? will you travel as a group? where and when will the team meet as a group?  if applicable, how will you travel from one site to another within your study area?; and
    (D) a list of supplies, and who is responsible for each (**necessary items include cameras, extra batteries, (film - does anyone use that anymore?? or extra memory cards), road maps, copies of other maps (topo? geologic?) notebooks, pencils, and (optional!): car food? road-trip music? first aid supplies? other?) 
Note that your photos will need to be printed, and be of good quality for your poster; a "real" camera is recommended, as some cell phone cameras are not adequate!!

Your field trip plans may change after this assignment is due; that's okay!  This assignment is to make sure that you have thought about the necessary elements of your trip.
 

 
     Team project assignments
FIELD TRIP REPORT      Date Due:  not later than 7:00 pm on Monday, 12 December

Your team will compile a report about your field trip, according to the assignment specifications, which are found on this page.  Make sure that this is a team effort, with every team member's contributions!
 
 
      Team project assignments

Team Citizenship

A TEAM CITIZENSHIP EVALUATION must be filled out by each individual team member.  The evaluation is available here.

After completing your team project, you will print the form, then follow the instructions on the form to complete the evaluation. 
Note that you must include every team member in your evaluation, including yourself.
You will receive no grade (i.e., a zero) for the team project if you fail to turn in a completed team citizenship evaluation.  So, don't forget!

    Team project assignments
TEAM PROJECT: Poster (Final!)    
Your Task:  The final poster presentation! 

Assignment Requirements

Content:  Your poster presentation must include information--text, maps, illustrations, and/or photographs, as appropriate--on the following:
4Poster Title, giving study area/topic name
4Team name, and members' names

4General location map of Chicago region, with location of the study area indicated
4Detailed location map(s) of your specific area [You may find it helpful to use the USGS Map Locator
    (also see Prof. Hemzacek's suggestions on downloading from this site) or GoogleEarth (earth.google.com).]

4Text and photos describing significant geologic features
4Text and photos describing surficial geology of the area, including geologic origin
4Text and photos describing significant topographic features
4Text and photos describing significant water features (if appropriate)
4Evidence that humans are interacting with the geology in a non-random, non-coincidental way
4Photographic evidence that all team members were on the field trip together
4Photographic evidence that all team members were having fun!

4Citations and references: see important information here!

Format:
4 Posters can range from the size of a single sheet of poster board (about 20 x 28 inches), to the size of a 3-panel "stand-up" poster (the type used for science fairs).
4 As you design your poster, consider the following:
 

w  Main elements (title, key graphics) must be visible and readable from a distance of 10 feet. Use a big enough font!
w  The poster is a visual presentation, but must contain enough text to adequately explain and describe the images
w  Be creative to highlight important aspects: use color, etc. to make it interesting and to "draw in" the observer
w  Check out this website for suggestions about making effective poster displays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Individual research assignment
Clarification regarding final format for this assignment:
You are required to find library, web, and map resources: a total of at least one of each, for this research assignment. Your library resource(s) will be listed in the "print" section; your web resource(s) will be listed in the "web" section, and your map resource(s) will be listed in whichever of those sections is appropriate. That is, some people might be accessing maps online, and some might be using the print version of maps (such as the ones we use in class).  If dividing your map resource(s) this way seems more confusing than it needs to be, feel free to simply add a "map" section to your final submission.   :O)
Overview
This project is to give you experience at the first aspect of researching information about a scientific topic, including taking time to consider of the authenticity of the information that you find.  In this assignment, you will apply what you learned during your session with the NEIU librarians.

You will look for and document several pieces of information, from different types of resources, on a particular aspect of your team  topic.  You will properly document the sources of information, and give a brief summary of the relevant information from each source.  The final project will be submitted electronically, so that you can include active hyperlinks to web resources in your document.

Read this document for an overview of the assignment requirements.

 

Reminders About Finding "Authentic Resources"
With an abundance of information available at our fingertips via the internet, we sometimes neglect the wealth of authentic, reliable information that is available in the library.  Many of the resources available through the library make one aspect of research easier: professional and scientific journal articles and edited publications have been peer reviewed, meaning that we know that the information in these sources has been reviewed by experts, and is considered credible and reliable.  Of course, our library does not have every book, journal, or print resource available!  But did you know that you can access many authentic scientific resources through the library's online functions, and some items can even be delivered to you electronically through I-Share? 
For more information, go to http://library.neiu.edu/  The reference librarians in our library can be a huge help: Michael Weinberg and Molly Mansfield, who conducted your library research session, will be happy to give you a hand!!

On the internet, we need to take a closer look, first at the author of the information: is this person a reliable source of valid data? or just someone sharing their opinion? What is the affiliation: does this person have a vested interest--political or otherwise? is the author affiliated with a university or research institution? or is it just someone "off the street" ? What are their credentials? Is the author published in credible and peer-reviewed publications?
(see this summary for tips about recognizing authentic resources based on URL.

Please note that "Wikipedia" is not a valid internet resource... although it can sometimes lead you to authentic resources!

In addition to author considerations on the web, think about the content of what you have found: are statements in the article well-documented, or is the information supplemented with footnotes so that the facts as stated may be verified or checked for accuracy?  Is the website stable: what kind of history does it have?  How current is the information, or at least how recently has the website been monitored and managed?

The Internet Public Library was specifically created with the mission to link your search to reliable resources on the internet. 
This is a great place to start when you want to find internet resources that are authentic! 
                    Read more about the origin and mission of ipl2 here.
 
          Individual research assignment
TOPICS for Individual Research

Each member of your team will select (from the supplied list) a specific focus that is related to the team topic. 
Each individual will research that particular focus, as it relates to your team study area/project.    
The list of different topic variables is available here; members of your team must decide who wants to investigate which topic.  Each different option can be used by only one member of your team; each member selects one focus.

Note that, although your individual research is related to the team work, and may generate useful information that can be added to the team poster, the team poster should NOT be just a "patchwork" of individual research information!

Details of the First (email) Assignment
Individual topics should be selected by team-members not later than  8 Nov at 1:00 pm .  By this time, send a single team email  (see criteria for a team email) to the instructor, and cc:'d to all team members. 
In the body of the email, include:
       your team project topic;
       each team-member name, followed by their choice of individual topic.

Details of the Overall Individual Research Assignment
Once you have your topic focus, you can begin to search for information for your annotated bibliography, from the different types of resources that you are required to explore.  The details of the individual research piece are in this document**.  Follow the directions as described in that document; refer to the rubric for this research piece -- use it as your checklist for completing this task!
 
**Note that the document includes information about the specific task that you are asked to complete, as well as the format of what you will turn in for credit.   
                                     
The proper format for your citations is given under "useful resources" above

 
 
       Individual research assignment
TOPIC CHOICES for Individual Team Members
Think about the specific nature of your team project area as you select from the following
(some choices are more relevant to various study areas than others)

geologic resources and potential for use(s)

impact of glacial processes

bodies of water and related processes

geologic history (other than glacial processes)

land use choices, related to geologic aspects

human modifications, related to geologic aspects