YEAR 9 HSIE

 

Research Assignment

 

Natural Hazards and their Impact

 

 

 

Length:      Group speech – no more than 5 minutes in total.

 

      Written submission - 500 words minimum per group.

 

Due Date: Week 10 Term 1.

Value: 30% of semester mark.

 

Purpose of this assignment

To research and gain an understanding of the factors contributing to natural hazards and their impact on the physical and human environment in Australia.

 

The outcomes targeted

5.1     Identifies, gathers and evaluates geographical information.

5.2     Analyses, organizes and synthesizes geographical information.

5.3     Selects and uses appropriate written, oral and graphic forms to communicate geographical information.

5.4     Demonstrates a sense of place about Australian environments.

5.6     Analyses the impact of different perspectives on geographical issues at local scales.

5.8     Accounts for differences within Australian communities.

5.9     Applies geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to demonstrate active and informed citizenship.

 

Task

1.      Present a written summary of findings, based on the instructions below. Ensure you refer to supporting newspaper/journal articles and other resources suggested by the Librarian, in your submission.

 

2.      In a group of no more than 4 students, you are to deliver a presentation on your given topic. Within this topic, focus on one particular Australian incident/event.

 

3.      Your teacher will allocate topics to groups from the following list:

 

Bushfires, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods, storms, tsunamis

 

 

Define the Task

In groups of no more than 4, complete the following:

 

1.      Define what is meant by the term “natural hazard”.

2.      Provide a brief description of the type of hazard you have been allocated.

3.      Outline the physical/geographical processes that cause this hazard.

4.      Discuss a particular Australian example of your hazard. Use maps/photos or other diagrams to highlight the main points of your discussion.

5.      Describe the impact of your example on both the physical environment and the human environment.

6.      State how the relevant community responded to the impact of your specific example.

 

Locate Information

Information can be found in the Library. Browse the 363 and 551 shelves and use the catalogue to find information in other sections of the Library. Newspaper articles and the Internet will also provide you with plenty of information – use the Electric Library link on the Library web site.

 

Select and Analyse

Choose relevant information in the form of text, maps, pictures/photos, graphs, timelines etc. Make notes from the resources you choose.

 

Organise and Synthesise

Use the instructions you have been given in ‘Define’ above to create sub headings for your findings. For example: Definition, Description, Causes, An Australian example, Impact on the physical and human environment, Response to the hazard, etc. Combine your notes from the different resources you used into sentences and paragraphs in your own words under your chosen subheadings.

 

Create and Present

Your summary should be in report format and needs to be concise, informative and interesting. It should be geographical in nature and include the necessary maps/photos/pictures or diagrams and any other visual materials. Include a properly written bibliography.

Each person must actively participate in the group presentation, which should include relevant visual aids.

 

Evaluate and Reflect

Use the marking guidelines below to assist you to achieve in the higher performance bands.  


Marking criteria

Research 10%, Oral 20%.

 

Research

Speech

Advanced

Clear description and detailed explanation demonstrates a strong understanding of the task. Integrates and analyses newspaper articles and relevant pictures/photos and/or other media. Exhibits a deep understanding of the impact of natural hazards on both the physical and human environment.

9 - 10 marks

Clear, effective communication that is interesting, informative and well structured. Makes reference to an Australian event in detail. Able to draw from a wide range of relevant resources to support ideas. Detailed analysis of environmental impact. Use of a variety of relevant visual aids.

17 - 20 marks

Highly competent

Clear description and explanation, demonstrates a sound understanding of the task. Includes analysis of newspaper articles and relevant pictures/photos and/or other media. Exhibits a sound understanding of the impact of natural hazards on both the physical and human environment. 

7 - 8 marks

Effective communication that is informative and has a clear structure. Makes reference to an Australian event. Uses a range of resources. Sound analysis of environmental impact. Use of a variety of relevant visual aids.

 

13 - 16 marks

Competent



Accurate description with some explanation. Some analysis of newspaper articles and relevant pictures/photos and/or other media. Shows an understanding of the impact of natural hazards on both the physical and human environment.

5 - 6 marks

Sound communication with some interesting information and a simple structure. Some use of resources to support ideas. Basic analysis of environmental impact. Use of relevant visual aids.


9 - 12 marks 

Developing

Description with limited explanation. Some visual resources have been located. No reference to newspaper or journal articles to back up information on an Australian event. Shows a superficial understanding of the impact of natural hazards on both the physical and human environment.
3 - 4 marks

Limited communication that conveys a few facts and has little structure. Very limited use of resources to support ideas. Narrative comment on environmental impact rather than an attempt at analysis. Some use of visual aids.

5 - 8 marks 

Experiencing difficulty

Little understanding of the requirements of the task. Provides brief descriptive statements with no analysis or explanation. No visual resources provided. Little evidence of a grasp of the wider impact of natural hazards.

1 - 2 marks 

Very brief, basic presentation with one or two points stated and no structure. No use of supporting resources. Some description of impacts with no analysis.

 

1 - 4 marks

 

Natural disasters web sites

http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/naturaldisasters/index.htm

http://www.ema.gov.au
http://www.bom.gov.au/

http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/
http://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/info_services/index_info_services.php Take the 'Search the Web' > 'Newspapers and Journals' link to find the Electric Library newspaper archive link. See your assignment handout for username and password.