For each of three preparatory "events" (Yellowstone Forest Fire, Mt.
Pinatubo eruption, and Hurricane Georges),
each student is asked to describe the short-term
and medium-term effects by each event on the sphere he or
she has chosen to investigate.
The Effects Chart given here lists the main effects by event upon each sphere as stated in the readings. Each cell in the chart lists the major hazardous effects, short term and medium term, by event and by sphere.
Please note: There are also positive effects that result from events, but most students will focus on the hazardous effects. Positive effects are frequently long-term issues. The final analysis concerning Montserrat focuses on hazardous events in relationship to the island in the short and medium terms.
The following rubric uses the chart as a guide. Teachers might wish to follow this format to assess their students' responses. An accumulation of assessments over the course of the e-Mission project might show trends in individual and class progress.
ESS Analysis Rubric
Score
# of Items
Description
3
All Main Effects + Additional Effects
Student accurately describes the same number of major effects of an event on their sphere as listed plus one or more effects.
2
All Main Effects
or
Some Main Effects + Additional Effects
Student accurately describes the same number of effects of an event on their sphere as listed.
or
Student accurately describes some of the main effects listed plus one or more effects.
1
Some Main Effects
or
Additional Effects
Student accurately describes some of the main effects.
or
Student accurately describes effects not listed in the chart.
0
No effects or
Incorrect focus
Student lists no effects or lists effects upon a sphere that is not theirs.
Copyright 2003. Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling
Jesuit University. All rights reserved.
