SCIENCE 7: EARTH’S CRUST
UNIT PROJECT
Task:
Your assignment is to build a static, 3-dimensional model of the Earth’s
crust in cross-section. Your model must include the following geological
features of the Earth’s interior:
1. inner and outer core
2. mantle
3. moho
4. crust
You must also include geological features of the Earth’s surface such as:
1. plateaus
2. mountains
3. mid-ocean ridges and trenches
4. tectonic faults
5. volcanic features
The model is to cover a surface no larger than your desk, and is to be
accompanied by a written description that describes all geological features
of the model in either poster or report format.
You will complete a “Project Planning Page” that will count as part of the
evaluation and mark.
Any materials may be used for your model, such as paper mache, plaster,
plasticene, styrofoam, cardboard, etc. Edible substances may also be used
(ie cake volcanoes, brownie tectonic plates!) and will most certainly be
consumed by the class!! This project is an at-home task, and we will invite
parents to an in-class sharing and display when they are completed. Good
luck and have fun!
Due dates:
1. Project Planning Page: Thursday, December 4th
2. Completed project (model and written) Tuesday December 16, 8:55
a.m.
3. Sharing and feasting (parents welcome!) Tuesday, Dec 16, 2:15 p.m.
Criteria:


The project will involve the following learning outcomes:
____ Investigate how models may be used to portray processes that can not be
observed directly
____ Compare and contrast geological features on the ocean floor to those on land
Criteria for Model: (with a category 6 being added to account for yumminess factors!)
6
5
4
3
2
1
As for 5,
with high
yumminess
factors
thrown in
for
gastronomic
pleasure
(As for
marks, an
“A” is equal
to a “5” on
this project,
as usual.)
As for 4,
with surface
features
included on
the model
that
accurately
portray the
surface
geology
All surface
and interior
geological
features are
included in
a detailed
model that
includes
textures,
colors etc,
with a
notable
degree of
creativity
All interior
and surface
geological
features are
included in a
detailed and
thoughtfully
presented
model
Most
interior and
surface
geological
features are
included but
the model
includes
few details
and little
creativity
Some
geological
features are
distinguishable
but little detail
is included in
the model
Project
planning
page is
completed
on time
Project
planning
page is
completed
on time
Project
planning
page is
completed
on time
Project
planning
page is not
completed
on time
Project
planning page
is late or may
not be
completed
Criteria for Written Description:
5
4
3
As for 4, with
an extra
paragraph
describing why
you felt your
type of model
was best suited
to portray the
geological
features being
described.
All geological
features of the
model are
referred to and
thoroughly
described in a
detailed, well
written report
or poster that
has been
carefully edited
and neatly
presented
All geological
features of the
model are
referred to and
thoroughly
described;
written report
or poster has
been edited and
well presented
2
Most geological
features of the
model are
described in an
adequately
presented
written report
or poster that
contains some
mechanical
errors in
writing
1
Several
geological
features of the
model are not
described in an
incomplete
written report
or poster that
contains
numerous
mechanical
errors in
writing
Please complete a complete a colored, labeled diagram that illustrates what
your finished model will look like.
HAVE FUN BUILDING!!!
Dates to remember:
This planning page is due: Thursday, December 4th
Finished model and written description are due: Tues. Dec 16 at 8:55 a.m.
PARENTS ARE INVITED TO OUR SHARING FEAST ON
Tues, Dec 16 at 2:15 p.m.
SCIENCE 7: EARTH’S CRUST
UNIT PROJECT
Student ___________________________________
Some things I would like you to notice about my project are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
One improvement I would add to it next time would be:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
In terms of the criteria, I feel my model deserves a _________ because
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Some other projects I think are well done are:
Student
What I like about their model
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Student: ______________
Criteria:


The project will involve the following learning outcomes:
____ Investigate how models may be used to portray processes that can not be
observed directly
____ Compare and contrast geological features on the ocean floor to those on land
Criteria for Model: (with a category 6 being added to account for yumminess factors!)
6
5
4
3
2
1
As for 5, with
high
yumminess
factors thrown
in for
gastronomic
pleasure
(As for marks,
an “A” is equal
to a “5” on this
project, as
usual.)
As for 4, with
surface
features
included on the
model that
accurately
portray the
surface
geology
All surface and
interior
geological
features are
included in a
detailed model
that includes
textures, colors
etc, with a
notable degree
of creativity
All interior and
surface
geological
features are
included in a
detailed and
thoughtfully
presented
model
Most interior
and surface
geological
features are
included but
the model
includes few
details and
little creativity
Some
geological
features are
distinguishable
but little detail
is included in
the model
Project
planning page
is completed
on time
Project
planning page
is completed
on time
Project
planning page
is completed
on time
Project
planning page
is not
completed on
time
Project
planning page
is late or may
not be
completed
Criteria for Written Description:
5
4
3
As for 4, with an
extra paragraph
describing why
you felt your type
of model was best
suited to portray
the geological
features being
described.
All geological
features of the
model are referred
to and thoroughly
described in a
detailed, well
written report or
poster that has
been carefully
edited and neatly
presented
All geological
features of the
model are referred
to and thoroughly
described; written
report or poster has
been edited and
well presented
2
Most geological
features of the
model are
described in an
adequately
presented written
report or poster
that contains some
mechanical errors
in writing
1
Several geological
features of the
model are not
described in an
incomplete written
report or poster
that contains
numerous
mechanical errors
in writing
Comments: ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________