Earthquakes Database
| Grade | Work Samples |
|---|---|
| End of Stage 5 (end of Year 10) | |
| Grade C | Shannon |
| Grade D | Ariel |
Description of activity
Students have undertaken initial discussion of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake including previous events in the Hunter region and conducted an internet search for other Australian earthquakes.
With guidance, students design on paper a spreadsheet layout for teacher feedback. They modify their spreadsheet structure incorporating recommendations from the teacher. Students identify websites that provide sources of data, then select, download and print relevant information relating to the agreed field on the spreadsheet.
Context
Students are undertaking a unit of work called Our Changing Earth. They will investigate scientific information relating to natural events as reported in the media. Students will evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of such events on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
This part of the unit will focus on plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes and students will examine data collected from Australian earthquakes. The activity builds on students' prior learning about table construction and involves students in researching information from the internet. Other secondary information will be collated into a spreadsheet for analysis of trends and patterns.
Areas for Assessment
Outcomes
A student:
5.9 relates the development of the universe and the dynamic structure of the Earth to models, theories and laws and the influence of time
5.16 accesses information from a wide variety of secondary sources
5.17 explains trends, patterns and relationships in data and/or information from a variety of sources
5.18 selects and uses appropriate forms of communication to present information to an audience
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- construct a spreadsheet for earthquake data showing the agreed fields in a logical structure and organisation
- research the internet using key words or phrases in an appropriate search engine
- select, download and print relevant information/data from the internet
- present relevant information/data in a spreadsheet.