Description of Student Performance
present a timeline with appropriate milestones for project completion
conduct research on the evolution of the local cultural environment
make appropriate maps, including maps of each individual site involved in the plan and a general map showing relative location of all sites
write a narrative describing the dominant processes producing the natural disaster event under discussion (e.g., climatic factors producing tornadoes, flooding, landslides)
construct a series of charts, tables and graphs which portray the incidence of the events under consideration and illustrate their primary characteristics
develop maps and a narrative that show the likely locations for the event and illustrating the potential effects of the event on the area where the natural disaster is likely to occur
present a completed, formal plan for coping with the event under consideration (e.g., plans for tornado warnings, maps of shelters, review of emergency plans of schools, public buildings and large centers of employment or shopping centers)

Work Plan/Timeline

1. select an appropriate area of interest, in consultation with the teacher (it is recommended the work be focused on the local area and the natural hazard event should have significant implications)
2. construct a schedule for completion of the following tasks
3. gather maps and information that describe the processes which produced the present cultural landscape and the event
4. interview available experts familiar with the cultural environment, emergency planning and the type of natural hazard events (e.g., geographers, historians, planners, business people, police officers, government officials, lawyers, religious leaders, Realtors, etc.)
5. conduct literature and image search for information detailing the local environment; suitable images include (but are not restricted to) aerial photographs, satellite images, video clips, still photography, line drawings, paintings, etc.; suitable text items include (but are not restricted to) local histories, diaries, newspapers, etc.
6. create a preliminary annotated bibliography showing what information exists, how the information is relevant and how the information is to be accessed
7. consult maps of the area showing evolution of land use patterns
8. select appropriate sites that illustrate a need for a plan
9. discuss selected sites with teacher and other experts
10. produce your own or critically evaluate an existing plan for dealing with hazard in the selected site; the plan should include maps and data tables
11. produce suitable for a public meeting that explains your plan or criticism of an existing plan

Research

1. use appropriate research techniques developed and described in other assessment packages, exploring the following items
2. collect appropriate illustrations of cultural patterns
3. collect relevant local statistics
4. read relevant portions of cultural geography and history texts
5. study available atlases showing social characteristics
6. consult appropriate persons within planning departments, educational institutions, real estate development firms, etc.

Making Appropriate Maps
map design

1. information is clear and complete (TODALSIGS)
2. message is neat and clear
   

   a. avoid unnecessary information
   b. minimize distortion information
   c. mappable data is portrayed accurately
   d. mappable data is portrayed at appropriate ranges and units
   

3. shading/fill pattern is clear and effective
   

   a. avoid distortion or optical illusion
   b. tone pattern reproduces well
   c. provide strong contrast between adjacent tones and patterns
   d. most important information is darkest
   

4. symbols represent data classifications appropriately
   

   a. pictorial symbols are closely related to idea presented
   b. symbols are simple and uncluttered
   c. symbols enlarge, reduce, and reproduce clearly

Plan
produce a planning document with a narrative that summarizes the present conditions in the study area and clearly sets forth a plan for dealing with the hazard
final product should be of high quality

1. describe the land use and environmental conditions of the study region; place the area in the larger context of regional or global forces (e.g., economic patterns, population shifts, climatic patterns, tectonic forces, etc.)
2. identify the present situation
3. describe each selected site used to illustrate the dominant forces
4. for each site, describe the forces at work, if any, that might change the cultural landscape in the near term (e.g., changing rates of out-migration or de- industrialization)
5. for each site studied, develop a statement describing the probability of a natural hazard event occurring
6. for each site, develop a plan for coping with the natural hazard under investigation
7. document physical changes resulting from such disaster events
8. document the human impact of such disaster events
9. document the economic impact of such events (loss of business, loss of property, cost of disaster relief, cost of clean up)

Population Pyramids, Graphs and Tables

1. graphs and tables are clear and easy to understand
2. data are in appropriate form
3. gaps in information are clearly acknowledged

Final Presentation

1. description of locale is presented with sufficient detail for a reader/audience that is unfamiliar with the place and its history
2. description places the locale in geographic context
3. analysis of the process and condition of study area is supported by evidence from the research
4. text and/or visual images are integrated to create a coherent message
5. presentation uses text and images effectively to convey information effectively and present a convincing message
6. presentation meets the needs of the target audience
7. summary shows specific estimated costs of the disaster
8. summary includes any changes in local policy
9. presentation includes a feasible course of action for individuals and decision making bodies that might be impacted by the natural disaster event
10. make use of sound environmental/ecosystem principles
11. demonstrate the effects of physical systems on humans
12. use a variety of information sources
13. all conclusions and recommendations are supported by data