Names______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Topic ________________________________________________________
Iowa’s Natural History Research Project
1) You will be working in groups of 2 or 3.
2) You will determine a topic you would like to research involving Iowa’s natural
history. You will create a presentation over this topic using a presentation program.
3) Locate a minimum of 3 sources (at least one non-internet) to provide information on
your topic. The last slide of your presentation will be a bibliography of your sources.
Use the MLA format for your bibliography.
4) From the facts that you have gathered, you will plan and create a presentation using a
presentation program.
5) Your slide presentation will be presented to the class. For grading, see the attached
rubric.
Topic Ideas:
Here are some suggestions for topics on Iowa’s natural history. Feel free to think of your
own topic. If you do, the topic will need to be approved by your teacher.
* How has farming impacted Iowa’s topsoil?
* How are people affecting Iowa’s water quality?
* How has Iowa’s land been shaped by glaciers?
* What are the positives and negatives of the loss of the prairie?
* What can scientists learn about the past environment in this area based on fossil
evidence?
* How has Iowa’s climate changed in the last 20,000 years?
* What makes the Loess Hills unique to Iowa?
* What are some common rocks and minerals found in Iowa and how they are used?
* How has the animal life in Iowa changed over the last 200 years?
.
Science Presentation
-
Include 5 facts about your topic
Remember you are a scientist! Describe, make connections, explain the whys and hows of your
topic, etc.
Be creative – you can include video, music, photos, visuals
Do not have complete sentences on your slides. Your information should be in short bullets.
Make sure your information is easily readable. The minimum font size should be 36.
Do not read off of your slides. Your oral presentation should add more detail than just what is on
your slides. Rehearse your presentation. All members should make equal contributions to
creating the slide presentation and in making the oral presentation.
Presentation due date
Presentation
rubric
Description of topic
10 pts. (2X)
5 facts about topic
5 pts.
Creativity
5 pts.
MLA
5 pts.
Presentation
5 pts.
___________
5
4
3
2
1
0
Describes topic
in a way that
shows excellent
understanding
5 accurate facts
Describes topic
in a way that
shows good
understanding
4 accurate facts
Describes topic in
a way that shows
some
understanding
3 accurate facts
Describes topic in
a way that shows
little
understanding
2 accurate facts
Describes topic in
a way that shows
no understanding
No description of
topic
1 accurate fact
0 accurate facts
Shows little
creativity in
presenting
information
1 source
Shows no
creativity in
presenting
information
0 sources
(three of the
following could
be improved)
Clear
Voice level
Eye contact
Well rehearsed
Clear intro
Clear conclusion
(two of the
following could
be improved)
Easily readable
No complete
sentences
Graphics add to
presentation
Spelling/Grammar
(all of the
following could
be improved)
Clear
Voice level
Eye contact
Well rehearsed
Clear intro
Clear conclusion
(more than three
of the following
could be
improved)
Easily readable
No complete
sentences
Graphics add to
presentation
Spelling/Grammar
Presents
information in
a very creative
way.
3 sources (at
least 1 noninternet)
MLA correct
Clear
Voice level
Eye contact
Well rehearsed
Clear intro
Clear
conclusion
Slide Presentation
3 pts.
Total _____/33 pts.
3 sources (at
least 1 noninternet)
MLA incorrect
Shows some
creativity in
presenting
information
2 sources (at least
1 non-internet)
MLA correct
(one of the
following could
be improved)
Clear
Voice level
Eye contact
Well rehearsed
Clear intro
Clear conclusion
Easily readable
No complete
sentences
Graphics add to
presentation
Spelling/Grammar
_______%
2 sources (at least
1 non-internet)
MLA incorrect
(two of the
following could
be improved)
Clear
Voice level
Eye contact
Well rehearsed
Clear intro
Clear conclusion
(one of the
following could
be improved)
Easily readable
No complete
sentences
Graphics add to
presentation
Spelling/Grammar