Project Description

The final project gives you a chance to explore in detail some aspect of the geology of the Northwest.  Furthermore the project should be presented in such a way as to make it accessible to the public.  In fact, projects that are scientifically accurate and well put together will be sent to the appropriate park/museum/school for potential use.  Some ideas for project format include; brochures, geological trail guides, posters (such as you might find along a roadside display or in a museum), museum displays (informational displays or hands-on activities), web pages, pamphlets, power point presentations (designed for a specific audience), videos (be the Bill Nye of geology), animation, and geologic road guides.  If you are planning a career in teaching, I’d also be willing to accept a teaching module (lesson plans, demos, etc.) on some aspect of NW geology.

I would encourage you to work in pairs on your project.  Pairs can work on the same topic, but should display the topic in different formats (e.g., web page and a museum display) and write their own material.

The project “content” must deal with some aspect of the geologic history of the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska or British Columbia).  Furthermore, it should include both geologic evidence (information about the rocks, etc.) and one or more interpretations of that evidence. Some ideas include:

• Geology of a specific region, area, place, park, trail, road, etc. (e.g., Ginko Petrified Forest State Park, North Cascades National Park, Rt 97, Spokane, Hurricane Ridge trail, Puget Sound)
• Geology of a specific rock formation or group (e.g., Ellensburg Formation, Puget Group, Belt Supergroup)
• Geology of a specific period of time (e.g., Miocene in Oregon, Precambrian in Washington)
• Geology of a specific event (e.g., Missoula Floods, 1700 A.D. Quake, (please no 1980 Mt. St. Helens!))
• Geologic method in the context of NW geology (How do we know glaciers once covered Puget Sound?, How do we know the age of certain rock units?)

I am open to other ideas and topics – talk to me!

All projects should include at least 2 pages of your own text (no mater what format you choose).  Text from other sources can be used in addition to the 2 pages, but remember it must be cited (or else it is considered plagiarism)! The project should also include images (don’t bore your audience with all text). Be sure to give it a title, and include your name and a bibliography listing all of the resources you used (in the proper format).  The bibliography can be part of the project, or turned in as a separate sheet. (Project Due Wednesday, August 12)

Proposal

Write a brief synopsis of your final project.  Along with the description of the content, you should also describe the format you plan to use (brochure, poster, webpage, video, etc.) and the audience it is intended for (5th grade kids, tourists to the NW, community lecture, etc.). This should be about a ½ page. (Due Thursday, July 16)

Reference List

Turn in a list of at least three references you are using for your project.  At least two references should be written material (not web pages).  References should be in the format provided below, and will receive reduced credit if they are not.  Besides BCC, other places for good reference material are the University of Washington Natural Sciences Library and the State Geological Library in Olympia. (Due Thursday, July 30)

Presentation

Presentations should be 7-10 minutes.  They should start with a brief overview of the format of the project and the audience for whom it was designed.  The actually presentation will depend on the project format, but the basic idea is to share what you learned with the rest of the class.  Power point presentations and films can be presented as they would be to the public (although you may add some additional notes if you’d like).  Displays, web pages, brochures, trail guides and posters should be displayed, and the presenter should go through the basic information provided on the project.  Don’t just read it – give us the geologic highlights.  Handouts and any sort of visual aids – overheads, web, slides, rocks, etc. – are highly encouraged. Note: If you are working with another person on your project, your presentation can be a little longer.  Both group members should participate equally in the presentation. (Tuesday/Wednesday, August 11/12 )

Peer Evaluations

Everyone will be expected to fill out evaluation forms for all of your peers.  Please be honest, but constructive. (Tuesday/Wednesday, August 11/12 )

Reference Format

References should be written as follows:

For a Magazine or Journal:

Author’s Last Name, First Name, Year of Publication, Title of Article: Title of Journal, v.volume, n.number, p.page numbers.

Example
Alley, Richard A., and Bender, Michael L, 1998, Greenland ice cores - Frozen in time: Scientific American, v. 278, n. 2, p. 80-85.

For a Book:

Author’s Last Name, First Name, Year of Publication, Title of Book, Publisher, Where Published, number of pages.

Example
Williams, Hill , 2002, The Restless Northwest , WSU Press, Pullman, 164 pp.

For the WWW:

Author’s Last Name [if known], First Name, Last Date Updated [if known], Title of Page, <URL> (date accessed).

Example
Baker, David , 2 April 1999, Plate Tectonics of Montana and the Northern Rockies , <http://www.3rivers.net/%7Edbaker/plate_tec/plate0.htm> (30 June 2008)