GMO Presentation
Due: __________________________
Using the information you’ve gathered over the past 2 weeks, plus additional information you research, with
your team members, you will be creating and presenting a PowerPoint or Prezi on one of the 8 topics
surrounding genetically modified organisms. The goal is to gather evidence from a variety of informational
sources to support analysis, reflection, and research. You will then present claims and findings to the class;
emphasizing significant points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid
reasoning, and well-chosen details; all while using appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear
pronunciation.
Guidelines: You will be graded on a number of things including the content of your PowerPoint or Prezi; as
well as your actual presentation to the class. Here’s what I will be looking for when grading you:
1. Organization- Information presented in logical, interesting sequence
2. Subject Knowledge- Demonstrates full knowledge by familiarity with the subject, and answering all
class questions with explanations and elaborations
3. Research- Uses a variety of sources in reaching accurate conclusions
4. Graphics- Explain and reinforce screen text and presentation
5. Length- Minimum requirements met: 10-15 minute presentation and AT LEAST 4 sources and 10 slides
(not including the cover slide and citations).
6. Citations- Works cited list is properly formatted and complete (like a research paper).
7. Oral Presentation- Maintains eye contact and pronounces all terms precisely. All audience members
can hear; all group members contribute.
8. Creativity- Well put together presentation including: Effective background, font, text size, and layout;
images that enhance the presentation (not distract from the message), slides not loaded with too much
text, and overall creativity (don’t be afraid to insert your style and humor into the project!).
Each category will be given a score from 1-4; four being exemplary and one being beginning. See rubric for
specifics. In addition to the score I give you, you will be grading your team members on their teamwork during
the 2 work days and their performance during the presentation.
Tips for an Effective Presentation - Keep it simple!!
 Use only one message/topic/point per slide
 Limit the amount of text on each slide; nobody wants to read it!
 Only use elements (images, short video clips, etc.) that add to and support the content of the message.
 Maintain a constant design- colors, font styles. *Dark backgrounds tend to make it harder to read the
content*.
 Have a beginning, middle, and an end. (Tell your audience what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and
then summarize it with a conclusion).
GMO Project Topics
1. Security of Genetic Diversity of Plants- Importance/Need of seed banks, seed savers, etc.
2. Monsanto, DuPont, and other bioengineering companies- Who are they, what do they do, impact they have on
farmers, consumers, etc.
3. Patenting life- History, ethics, any big problems arising because of this, effects on farmers
4. FDA and USDA (and other cooperating organizations) Regulation Policies- Guidelines and for production
and distribution of GMOs
5. Ethics, morals, religious values of society surrounding food engineering/use of genetically altered foodsWhat may be some ethical questions raised/ethical considerations of using GM foods.
6. Environmental impact- Cross contamination, food web risks, effects on untargeted species, herbicide use
7. Food Supply vs. Demand: Organic and Conventional Food Security- What is the problem and what could be
some ethical solutions,
8. Physical Harms and Benefits- What are old and new studies saying about the harms of eating GMOs?
9. GMO process- How are Genetically Modified Foods made?- What’s the process?
10. GMO vs. Non GMO- Is the difference relevant/ is there really a difference? – How about taste, food
additives, cost, Organic vs. Non-GMO?
Instructor Grading Rubric
Names: __________________________________________________________________________________
Exemplary (4)
Accomplished (3)
Developing (2)
Beginning (1)
Organization Information
presented in logical,
interesting
sequence
Subject
Demonstrates full
Knowledge
knowledge by
familiarity with the
subject, and by
answering all class
questions with
explanations and
elaborations
Research
Uses a variety of
sources in reaching
accurate
conclusions. 4 or
more sources
shared with class
Information in
logical sequence
Difficult to follow
presentation-student jumps
around
Uncomfortable with
the topic and
information. Only
able to answer basic
questions.
Cannot understand
presentation--no
sequence of
information
Does not have a
grasp of the
information. Cannot
answer questions
about subject
Does not justify
conclusions with
research evidence.
Only 1 source
shared with class.
Graphics
Explain and
reinforce screen
text and
presentation
10-15 minute
presentation, 10+
content slides (not
including the cover
slide and citations).
Works cited list is
properly formatted
and complete (like
a research paper).
Relate to text and
presentation
Presents only
evidence that
supports a
preconceived point
of view. 2 of 4
sources shared with
class
Occasionally uses
graphics that rarely
support text and
presentation
Under 5-8 minute
presentation, 6-8
content slides
Works cited list is a
limited list of just
names of sites,
books, etc.
Oral
Presentation
Maintains eye
contact and
pronounces all
terms precisely. All
audience members
can hear
Creativity
Includes a variety
of graphics, text,
and animation that
exhibits a sense of
wholeness. Easy to
read font size and
background.
Maintains eye
contact most of the
time and
pronounces most
words correctly.
Most audience
members can hear
presentation
Includes a variety of
graphics, text, and
animation; some
elements
(background,
images, font) may
be difficult to see.
Works cited list is
incomplete or
improperly
formatted (e.g. list
of URLs).
Occasionally uses
eye contact, mostly
reading presentation,
and incorrectly
pronounces terms.
Audience members
have difficulty
hearing
Includes
combinations of
graphics and text,
but some are
distracting and/or
not related to the
content.
Length
Citations
At ease with the
content, some
details may be
lacking, expected
answers to
questions but does
not elaborate
Uses a variety of
sources in reaching
conclusions. 3 of 4
sources shared with
class
Under 9-10 minute
presentation, less
than 8-9 content
slides
Works cited list is
complete, but not
properly formatted
(e.g. bulleted list).
Group Score ___________ X 2 = _________ (64 points possible)
Uses superfluous
graphics or no
graphics
Under 5 minute
presentation, under 5
content slides.
Reads with no eye
contact and
incorrectly
pronounces terms.
Speaks too quietly
Either confusing or
cluttered, barren or
stark.
Missing or
Incomplete
(0)
Peer Grading Rubric
Directions: Place student names of you group that is being evaluated on the lines above. Place the number of
points in the blanks below that BEST describe how you feel about a peer’s participation regarding each
statement. Be honest in your evaluations, rewarding someone who did not fully participate is not fair to
the group. Add the points up. All group members’ scores will be averaged from each evaluation sheet
5 points-strongly agree
4 points-very much agree
3 points-agree
2 points-somewhat agree
1 point-somewhat disagree
0 points-disagree
Question 1: This person helped the group by working hard and doing their fair share of the work.
Question 2: This person listened to the other group members’ ideas and offered their own ideas during the
planning portion of the project.
Question 3: This person was available outside of school for communication about the project.
Question 4: This person completed their assigned work without having to be re-directed by group members (ie:
they were on task the entire time).
Question 5: This person didn’t spend time socializing with other groups, on their phone/facebook/snapchat, etc.
Question 6: This person contributed fully to the success of the oral presentation to the class.
Peer Grading Rubric
Directions: Place student names of you group that is being evaluated on the lines above. Place the number of
points in the blanks below that BEST describe how you feel about a peer’s participation regarding each
statement. Be honest in your evaluations, rewarding someone who did not fully participate is not fair to
the group. Add the points up. All group members’ scores will be averaged from each evaluation sheet
5 points-strongly agree
4 points-very much agree
3 points-agree
2 points-somewhat agree
1 point-somewhat disagree
0 points-disagree
Question 1: This person helped the group by working hard and doing their fair share of the work.
Question 2: This person listened to the other group members’ ideas and offered their own ideas during the
planning portion of the project.
Question 3: This person was available outside of school for communication about the project.
Question 4: This person completed their assigned work without having to be re-directed by group members (ie:
they were on task the entire time).
Question 5: This person didn’t spend time socializing with other groups, on their phone/facebook/snapchat, etc.
Question 6: This person contributed fully to the success of the oral presentation to the class.
Group Member Name
Q1 Score
Q2 Score
Q3 Score
Q4 Score
Q5 Score
Q6 Score
Total /30
Group Member Name
Q1 Score
Q2 Score
Q3 Score
Q4 Score
Q5 Score
Q6 Score
Total /30
Group Member Name
Q1 Score
Q2 Score
Q3 Score
Q4 Score
Q5 Score
Q6 Score
Total /30