Assessment Rubric for Pontifex Maximus Presentation
Exemplary 10
Accomplished 8
Developing 7
Beginning 6
Organization/
Editing
Information
presented in
logical, interesting
sequence. All
required slides are
present. No errors
in spelling, syntax,
or grammar.
Wording is clearly
original.
Information in
logical sequence.
Required slides are
present; few errors
in spelling, syntax,
grammar. Wording
is mostly original.
Difficult to follow
presentation. Some
required slides are
present. Several
errors in spelling,
syntax and
grammar. Wording
seems to be largely
lifted from other
sources.
Subject Knowledge
Demonstrates full
knowledge of the
three types of
bridges and how
they work.
Graphics explain
and reinforce
screen text and
presentation
Shows a solid grasp
of research on
Roman engineering
practices.
Demonstrates some
knowledge of the
three types of
bridges and how
they work.
Graphics relate to
text and
presentation
Knowledge of
bridge types and
how they work is
incomplete.
Demonstrates some
knowledge of
Roman engineering
practices.
Occasionally uses
graphics ; they
rarely support text
and presentation
Little evidence that
student completed
research on prep
work.
Cannot
understand
presentation--no
sequence of
information, few
required slides.
No editing is
evident. Text was
cut and pasted
from internet
sources.
Does not have a
grasp of the
information; does
not know how
bridges work.
Uses superfluous
graphics or no
graphics
Includes a variety
of graphics, text,
and animation that
exhibits a sense of
wholeness.
Includes a variety
of graphics, text,
and animation.
Includes
combinations of
graphics and text.
Graphics
Research
Screen Design
Total
Student Name; ___________________________________
Student Name: ___________________________________
Student shows no
working
knowledge of
Roman
engineering
practices.
Either confusing
or cluttered,
barren or stark.
Pontifex Maximus Presentation Instructions
Your task is to create a slide-show presentation using Powerpoint, Google Slides, or Prezi. The
presentation will be shown to the Roman governor of Hispania, Marcus Perpenna Vento, who has
ordered a bridge built over the Ebro River. You want to be the engineer who designs the bridge
and oversees its construction.
You are welcome to use any presentation system but you need to know what you are doing. If
you’re not that solid on Prezi, don’t waste a lot of time trying to use Prezi. Stick with the tried
and true.
Follow the instructions carefully and consult the rubric as you work. For each slide, include the
required information. It is recommended that you mark through each element as you complete it
to keep track of your progress.
Do not even begin until you have located Handout #18 (green) and
Project Prep Sheet (white). If you don’t have these out and at your
work space, I will presume you are not doing what you are supposed
to be doing.
Slide 1: displays the name of your imaginary company with a picture of something you have built.
Company name should be appropriately Roman. Use a good picture of a Roman aqueduct.
Slides 2 and 3: gives some background on your imaginary company by outlining what your
specialty is. Use information from handout 18 to describe some structures your company has
worked on. Include appropriate pictures and add text explaining the engineering principles behind
what your company has built. Remember that you are pitching an idea; you want your company to
sound professional and competent.
Slide 4: shows the location of the river across which you will build your bridge. This slide should
include both a map and a picture of the river itself. Text should include how long the river is and
indicate its elevation. Try not to use a photo of the river that has a lot of modern structures in the
frame.
(over)
Slides 5 and 6: shows a graphic (NOT a photograph) of the type of bridge you propose to build
over the river. This should be one of the 3 types you researched in your project prep sheet.
Beneath the graphic on slide 5, text demonstrates how the type of bridge works and includes
phrases like “compression,” “load transfer,” and “base.” Slide 6 predicts what types of load the
bridge will be able to handle, using specifics relevant to ancient Rome.
Slide 7: explains what machines/materials will be used to build the bridge. This slide will include
either a graphic OR a photo of a Roman crane and text to explain how the crane will be used.
Information about concrete (components of) will also be included in this slide.
Slide 8: your company will explain how many miles of road it will build to access the bridge on
either side of the span. Include a picture of a Roman road; text will explain the 4 steps included in
building a road.
Slide 9: predicts the cost estimate to build the bridge and the access road in denarii. This slide will
also include how long the company expects the project to take and how many men will be needed
to complete the project. Use bullet points so the project bid is very clear to Governor Vento. He
wants to choose the most experienced company, with the best plan, at the lowest cost.
Remember to save your work. At the end of class on Thursday, you will be asked to save it to a
folder on the student share drive. The presentations will then be uploaded onto a flash drive after
each class so no one can alter your file.
Good Luck!