Facing Mother Nature Project

FACING MOTHER NATURE PROJECT

WHO: All of Mr. Pier’s 8th Grade Earth Science Students must participate. Students may choose to complete the project as an individual or they may team up with other students to complete the assignment for a shared grade. Students who choose to team up do not have to be from the same science class period.

WHAT: Students must take a photo or video of their selves “out in nature” while holding Mr. Pier’s face so that it is clearly visible in the photo or video. Students must also be clearly visible in the photo to be given credit for the project.

If you have an idea for an activity but you are not sure if it counts as being in nature, or you are unsure if it will work for the project, check with Mr. Pier.

Using their photo(s) or video(s) the student(s) must create a PREZI which will be presented to the rest of the class by the student(s).

The PREZI must at least include the following frames for full credit to be given:

Introduction The name of the place you are visiting. Include here the names of all students in the presentation who are there for credit.

What I’m Doing A paragraph explanation of what you are doing at that location. Include an additional paragraph description of the area.

Why I’m Doing It A paragraph explanation of why you are doing what you are doing at that location. Brief responses such as “because it’s fun” or “I have to for this class” will not be counted.

My Photo / Video Your photo or video. A minimum of one photo or video must be used in the presentation. Photos and videos may be used together.

Map of Where I Am Use Google Maps, Map Quest, or some other source to supply a map of where you are. For example, if you happen to be out of state, then showing what state you are in and approximately where you are in that state would be good. If you are somewhere close to home such as a local park, then a state wide map won’t work. It will be too large. The map should show more detail such as the park boundaries and you’re your specific location within the park.

The map must be marked showing your location. The marking should be labeled. THE ABOVE HEADINGS SHOULD BE USED ON EACH FRAME OF YOUR PREZI.

WHEN: Students must submit a project for each of the nine week grading periods of the school year. The photo or video must be taken within the grading period for which the project is presented.

If students choose the same activity for more than one grading period, the location of activity must be different. For example, if a student enjoys hiking, they may use hiking as their activity for more than one grading period but the location of the hike must be different. They must use a different hike in a different park.

Projects will be presented on Fridays during science class throughout the 9 week grading period as students finish them. This will be on a first come - first served basis. You must notify me during the week you wish to present so that I can plan for Friday. If you wait until Friday to tell me you will be put off until the next week.

The project must be PRESENTED before the last week of the 9 week period. Unless previous arrangements have been made with Mr. Pier, no projects submitted during the final week of the grading period will be scored. Please plan ahead.

WHERE: Anywhere “out in nature.” Please keep in mind that being outside is not necessarily the same as being in nature. For example, playing baseball on a field is considered being outside, but not considered being in nature.

The following exceptions are permitted:

Backyard stargazing - Students are considered in nature if they are observing the night sky. Note - Students must be seen in their photo or video using either an astrolabe, binoculars, or a telescope.

Fruit, vegetable, berry, or nut picking - Students are considered in nature if they are on a farm in which they gather produce.

Outdoor ice skating - Students are considered in nature if they are on any kind of outdoor ice rink, lake, or river normally used for ice skating.

Hunting or fishing - Students are considered in nature if they are hunting or fishing.

Sled riding, snowboarding, or snow skiing - Students are considered in nature if they are sled riding, snowboarding, or snow skiing at a park normally used for those activities. No backyard snow sports are allowed. Water skiing, boating - Students are considered in nature if they are out on a body of water.

WHY: Students will have a better understanding of their natural world by spending more time in it. By spending time in nature students will gain an appreciation for nature while experiencing the natural process of wonderment – which will lead to using the scientific process. Hopefully students will make a connection between the science they are learning in class and the world they live in.

Students need to become more comfortable with facing nature and being in contact with natural setting. This will strengthen their personal view of how they fit into nature while exploring their personal relationship with it.

Spending time in nature is part of being a human. We live in a time when children are spending less and less time outdoors, especially in nature. By participating in this activity students will be given an opportunity to connect to the natural world in a way that is meaningful for them. Personal connections like these are important for students to become good stewards of the earth and responsible users of her resources.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

* Points will be deducted if lose or damage Mr. Pier’s face If you lose Mr. Pier’s face, or you damage it so that it is no longer useable, you will also have to pay a $2.00 replacement fee. This fee is in addition to the point deduction.

* Projects count as a test score.

* If you are working with students in another science class period make sure they have access to the PREZI so they can present it to their own science class period.

* You may sign out a face for a period of four (4) nights. If the due date falls over a weekend, the face will be due the next school day (usually a Monday).

* If you wish to sign out a face for a second time, you must first wait at least one day after turning in the face you signed out the first time.

* There will be a point deduction for faces held after their due dates. One point per day late will be deducted from the project’s point total.