Monitoring Our Home Planet
All Original Content. Support your statements with examples. Use a minimum of six
reliable references, two of which should be peer-reviewed articles.Write an 8-page paper in
Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. No References Older than Five
years old & Due by Friday, September 6, 20113.
The Internet is a powerful tool that provides the ability to monitor natural phenomena and
disasters that happen all over planet Earth.
In this assignment, you will research resources available on the Internet for monitoring natural
phenomena including earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, global climate, and weather.
Based on your research, do the following:
First, identify a minimum of three different natural phenomena that are typically
responsible for natural disasters. Analyze the potential impact of these disasters.
Second, analyze how these phenomenon are monitored, or not, via the Internet. Critique
available Web sites, which publicly display up-to-date monitored information related to
each of the natural phenomena you have identified. Focus on the following aspects:
o
o
o
o
o
Geography
 What parts of the world are potentially affected by these phenomena?
Specifically identify the countries.
Resources
 What kinds of resources are allocated toward monitoring these phenomena
and why?
 What types of Web resources monitor the phenomena and provide up-todate information about them?
 What kinds of technology are involved in monitoring the phenomena?
Politics
 What political ramifications would this disaster-preparedness technology
cause between more-developed countries and less-developed countries?
 What kinds of issues could this technology cause between less-developed
countries?
Economics
 How would this technology directly impact the economies of those
countries that have the technology versus those countries that do not?
 Do you predict any indirect impacts? What current evidence supports your
position?
Disaster Preparedness
 What types of systems are in place in terms of disaster preparedness
related to these monitored phenomena?
Last, summarize your findings. Evaluate how this technology will impact the future of
humanity, both positively and negatively. Be sure to consider the political and economic
issues discussed in your future predictions.
All Original Content. Support your statements with examples. Use a minimum of six
reliable references, two of which should be peer-reviewed articles.Write an 8-page paper in
Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. No References Older than Five
years old & Due by Friday, September 6, 20113.
- The below sites were recommended sites that are and will be considered Reliable
for this paper and, at least, THREE REFERENCES MUST BE FROM ONE OF THEM:
- Scientific American website (http://www.scientificamerican.com/) will have a number
of good articles linked. But, sometimes charge a fee, unless you dig further.
- The Science Daily website (http://www.sciencedaily.com/) is a great place to go for
reliable information.
- Discover magazine (http://discovermagazine.com/).
-
Popular Science (http://www.popsci.com/) and Popular Mechanics
(http://www.popularmechanics.com/)can also be very good sources.
-
Various "dot gov" sites are considered reliable (some more so than others).
-
NIH or the CDC are great places to go for information regarding medical issues.
-
For peer reviewed and pre-print material; Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com/)
-
http://sciencenetlinks.com/ American Association for the Advancement of Science
-
http://www.si.edu/ Smithsonian
-
http://www.amnh.org/ American Museum of Natural History
In addition, NY Times Articles will be mostly acceptable.
For your consideration & Thank you.
Grading Criteria and Rubric
Maximum
Points
Assignment 1 Grading Criteria
Identify a minimum of three different naturally occurring
phenomena that are typically responsible for natural disasters
and analyze the potential impact of the disaster.
Analyze ways different Web sites monitor phenomena by
critiquing available Web resources. Analysis should include
topics such as geography, resources, political/economic issues,
and disaster preparedness.
Summarize and discuss future projections on humanity
regarding the use of technology. Include research on political
and economic issues.
Writing Components:
Organization (16)
Usage and Mechanics (16)
APA Elements (24)
Style (8)
104
104
28
64
300
Total:
Lastly, please reference the below Rubric for this paper, it will help guide you:
NOTE: If a component is absent, student receives a zero for that component.
Unsatisfactory
Emerging
Proficient
Exemplary
Only one
phenomenon
responsible for
natural disasters is
provided.
Explanation fails to
analyze the
underlying
scientific principles
and/or fails to
make clear
connections
between the
phenomena and its
associated disaster
Only two
phenomena
responsible for
natural disasters
are provided.
Explanation
partially analyzes
the underlying
scientific principles
for each, and/or
fails to make clear
connections
between the
phenomena and its
associated disaster
Identification of at
least three
phenomena
responsible for
natural disasters is
present. Student
made clear
connections
between each
phenomena and its
associated disaster
potential on the
human population,
addressing
geographical,
Identification of
three or more
phenomena
responsible for
natural disasters is
present and the
explanation of the
underlying
scientific
principles for each
is clear. Student
made appropriate
connections
between the
phenomena and its
Assignment Components
Identify a
minimum of three
different naturally
occurring
phenomena that
are typically
responsible for
natural disasters
and analyze the
potential impact
of the disaster.
(CO 1, 2, 5)
Analyze ways
different
organizations
monitor
phenomena by
critiquing
available web
resources.
Analysis should
include topics
such as:
geography,
resources,
political/economic
issues, and
disaster
preparedness.
(CO 3, 4, 5)
potential on the
human population.
Fails to, address
geographical,
social, and
economic issues.
Document contains
a lot of information
that is not accurate
and/or is not
supported by
reputable
references.
potential on the
human population.
Only partially
addresses
geographical,
social, and
economic issues.
Documentation
contains some
information that is
not accurate or is
not supported by
reputable
references.
social, and
economic issues.
Information in the
document is based
upon accurate
science and
technology
concepts and
principles and is
supported by
reputable
references.
Analysis only
addresses how a
single phenomenon
responsible for
natural disasters is
monitored.
Student fails to
address
availability,
timeliness, and
usefulness of
information
presented in
monitoring web
resources critique,
and/or fails to
address:
geography,
regional resources,
disaster
preparedness,
political/economic,
and technology
infrastructure
issues. Document
contains a lot of
information that is
not accurate and/or
Analysis addresses
how two different
phenomena
responsible for
natural disasters
are monitored.
Student somewhat
addresses
availability,
timeliness, and
usefulness of
information
presented in
monitoring web
resources critique,
or fails to address
geography,
regional resources,
disaster
preparedness,
political/economic,
and technology
infrastructure
issues. Document
contains some
information that is
not accurate or is
not supported by
Analysis addresses
how three
different
phenomena
responsible for
natural disasters
are monitored.
Availability,
timeliness, and
usefulness of
information
presented on
monitoring web
resources are
critiqued and are
clear and correct.
Affects on
geography,
regional resources,
disaster
preparedness,
political/economic
issues, and
technology
infrastructure are
addressed.
Information in the
document is based
associated disaster
while addressing
geographical,
social, and
economic issues.
Potential for
predicting and
lessening the
impact of natural
disasters via
monitoring efforts
is explored for
each phenomenon.
Information in the
document is based
upon accurate
science and
technological
concepts and
principles and
supported by
reputable
references.
Analysis addresses
how three or more
different
phenomena
responsible for
natural disasters
are monitored.
Availability,
timeliness, and
usefulness of
information
presented on
monitoring web
resources are
critiqued.
Student’s analysis
includes the pros
and cons of the
current method
used to monitor
the phenomenon,
contrasting them
with historical
methods.
Affects on
geography,
regional resources,
disaster
Summarize and
discuss future
projections on
humanity
regarding the use
of technology.
Include research
on political and
economic issues.
is not supported by
reputable
references.
reputable
references.
upon accurate
science and
technology
concepts and
principles and
supported by
reputable
references.
Summary fails to
synthesize the
information
presented and
extrapolate to
potential future
scenarios. It is
unclear and
inaccurate.
Summary
somewhat
synthesizes the
information
presented, or to
extrapolate to
potential future
scenarios. It is
somewhat clear
and accurate.
Summary
synthesizes the
information and
applies it to
potential future
scenarios
appropriately.
Introduction is
limited or missing
entirely.
Introduction is
present but
incomplete or
underdeveloped.
Introduction has a
clear opening,
provides background
information, and
states the topic.
(CO 4, 5)
Writing Components
Organization
Introduction
Thesis
Transitions
Conclusion
The paper lacks a
thesis statement.
Transitions are
infrequent, illogical,
or missing entirely.
The paper is loosely
organized around a
thesis that may have
to be inferred.
The paper is
organized around an
arguable, clearly
stated thesis
preparedness,
political/economic
issues, and
technology
infrastructure are
addressed. Student
contrasts
availability of
monitoring
resources between
more and less
developed
countries.
Information in the
document is based
upon accurate
science and
technology
concepts and
principles and
supported by
reputable
references. It is
clear, correct, and
a wide variety of
details are present.
Summary
synthesizes the
information and
applies it to
potential future
scenarios.
Student’s future
analysis
incorporates
historical patterns
or emerging
technologies. It is
clear, correct, and
a variety of details
are present.
Introduction catches
the reader’s
attention, provides
compelling and
appropriate
background info,
and clearly states the
topic.
The paper is well
Conclusion is limited
or missing entirely.
Transitions are
sporadic.
Conclusion is
present, but
incomplete or
underdeveloped.
statement.
Transitions are
appropriate and help
the flow of ideas.
Conclusion
summarizes main
argument and has a
clear ending.
organized around an
arguable, focused
thesis.
Thoughtful
transitions clearly
show how ideas
relate.
Conclusion leaves
the reader with a
sense of closure and
provides concluding
insights.
The paper is
basically error free
in terms of
mechanics.
Grammar and
mechanics help
establish a clear idea
and aid the reader in
following the
writer’s logic.
Usage and
Mechanics
Grammar
Spelling
Sentence structure
Writing contains
numerous errors in
spelling, grammar,
and/or sentence
structure that
severely interferes
with readability and
comprehension.
Errors in spelling and
grammar exist that
somewhat interfere
with readability
and/or
comprehension.
Writing follows
conventions of
spelling and
grammar
throughout. Errors
are infrequent and
do not interfere with
readability or
comprehension.
APA Elements
Attribution
Paraphrasing
Quotations
No attempt at APA
format.
APA format is
attempted to
paraphrase, quote,
and cite, but errors
are significant.
Using APA format,
accurately
paraphrased, quoted,
and cited in many
spots throughout
when appropriate or
called for. Errors
present are
somewhat minor.
Using APA format,
accurately
paraphrased, quoted,
and cited throughout
the presentation
when appropriate or
called for. Only a
few minor errors
present.
Style
Audience
Word Choice
Writing often slips
into first and/or
second person.
Writing sometimes
slips into first and/or
second person.
Writing remains in
third person
throughout.
Writing remains
professional in third
person throughout.
Word choice is
consistently
inaccurate, unclear,
or inappropriate for
the audience.
Word choice is
sometimes
inaccurate, unclear,
or inappropriate for
the audience.
Word choice is
accurate, clear, and
appropriate for the
audience.
Word choice is
precise, appropriate
for the audience, and
memorable.