learning outcomes rethink runoff - future city to every city, it’s time to rethink runoff. instead...

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20 FUTURE CITY EDUCATOR HANDBOOK Students will research and write an essay (maximum 1,000 words) in which they design a way to manage stormwater runoff in their future cities. Write the Research Essay This year’s topic: Rethink Runoff DESIGN CLEAN SOLUTIONS TO MANAGE STORMWATER POLLUTION. What happens when rain falls in cities? Hard surfaces—like roofs, sidewalks, and parking lots— prevent rain from soaking into the ground. Instead, rainwater turns into runoff. It flows quickly over surfaces, which can lead to flooding. As it moves, runoff carries pollutants into storm drains which empty directly into the waterways we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water. In a matter of minutes, rain becomes stormwater runoff—a serious source of water pollution. Since a clean water supply is important to every city, it’s time to rethink runoff. Instead of a nuisance to channel away, runoff can be a valuable resource. Engineers are designing new ways to manage stormwater that make city landscapes act more like natural landscapes. These help reduce runoff, increase the amount of water that soaks into the ground, and improve water quality. Whether your future city receives lots of precipitation or a little, you’ll need to think creatively about managing stormwater. Your challenge: Identify a stormwater runoff problem that is important for your city to manage and design a solution. Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: • Define stormwater runoff. • Describe how runoff is part of the water cycle. • Describe problems stormwater runoff causes in cities. • Identify stormwater runoff problems their future city might face based on city location, climate, geography, and level of development (city structures such as buildings, roads, parking lots, parks, etc.). • Discuss one stormwater runoff problem their future city faces and a solution for managing it. • Evaluate the benefits and risks of proposed stormwater management solution. • Describe the role of engineering in developing solutions to managing stormwater. • Identify the steps of the design process (define the problem to solve; brainstorm various solutions; select a solution; design, build, test, and redesign a solution; share results). Scoring: Up to 75 points Schedule: September to December* Students will spend approximately 10–12 hours writing the essay. * Da tes m ay v ary. Ch e ck futu re city.or g for s p e c ific d a te s .

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Page 1: Learning Outcomes Rethink Runoff - Future City to every city, it’s time to rethink runoff. Instead of a nuisance to channel away, ... your future city receives lots of precipitation

20 f u t u r e c i t y e d u c a t o r h a n d b o o k

Students will research and write an essay (maximum 1,000 words) in which they design a way to manage stormwater runoff in their future cities.

Write the Research Essay

this year’s topic:

Rethink Runoff design clean solutions to manage stormwater pollution.

What happens when rain falls in cities? Hard surfaces—like roofs, sidewalks, and parking lots—prevent rain from soaking into the ground. Instead, rainwater turns into runoff. It flows quickly over surfaces, which can lead to flooding. As it moves, runoff carries pollutants into storm drains which empty directly into the waterways we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water. In a matter of minutes, rain becomes stormwater runoff—a serious source of water pollution. Since a clean water supply is important to every city, it’s time to rethink runoff. Instead of a nuisance to channel away, runoff can be a valuable resource. Engineers are designing new ways to manage stormwater that make city landscapes act more like natural landscapes. These help reduce runoff, increase the amount of water that soaks into the ground, and improve water quality. Whether your future city receives lots of precipitation or a little, you’ll need to think creatively about managing stormwater. your challenge: identify a stormwater runoff problem that is important for your city to manage and design a solution.

Learning OutcomesStudents will be able to:

•Definestormwaterrunoff.

•Describehowrunoffispartofthewatercycle.

•Describeproblemsstormwaterrunoffcausesincities.

•Identifystormwaterrunoffproblemstheirfuturecitymightface based on city location, climate, geography, and level of development (city structures such as buildings, roads, parking lots, parks, etc.).

•Discussonestormwaterrunoffproblemtheirfuturecityfacesand a solution for managing it.

•Evaluatethebenefitsandrisksofproposedstormwater management solution.

•Describetheroleofengineeringindevelopingsolutionstomanaging stormwater.

•Identifythestepsofthedesignprocess(definetheproblemtosolve; brainstorm various solutions; select a solution; design, build, test, and redesign a solution; share results).

Scoring: up to 75 points

Schedule: september to december*

Students will spend approximately 10–12 hours writing the essay.

*Dates may vary. Check futurecity.org for s

pecific

dat

es.

Page 2: Learning Outcomes Rethink Runoff - Future City to every city, it’s time to rethink runoff. Instead of a nuisance to channel away, ... your future city receives lots of precipitation

21w r i t e t h e r e s e a r c h e s s a y

Guide Students’ ThinkingUse these questions to help your students write a research essay that meets competition requirements.

1. What stormwater runoff problems will your city need to manage based on its location, climate, geography, and level of development (city structures such as buildings, roads, parking lots, parks, etc.)?

2. Identify one stormwater runoff problem your city faces. How does it impact your city and why is it important for your city to address?

3. What solution will you design to improve or solve this problem?

4. Doesyoursolutionworkattheresidential,commercial,industrial, and/or citywide level?

5. How does your solution address two of these common stormwater issues: infiltration, impervious surfaces, water quality, water conservation, and/or sustainability?

6. What are the risks connected with using this solution?

7. What will you incorporate into your design to reduce these risks?

8. How will you encourage your citizens to support this solution (e.g., community outreach, education, and/or incentive programs)?

9. What types of engineering are used in your solution for managing stormwater runoff?

10. What is the role of the engineer you believe to be most useful in your solution?

11. How can you represent your solution in your city model?

12. As you develop your solution, how could you use the design process to help you work through problems (define the problem to solve; brainstorm various solutions; select a solution; design, build, test and redesign solution; share results)?

13. Is your essay organized, well written, free of grammar and spelling errors, and no more than 1,000 words (not counting the title)?

“ I learned so much about engineering this year, from research and writing to planning a presentation. I also worked on the multiple moving parts for our city. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and look forward to becoming a Civil Engineer.”

– logan b., indiana student team member

did you know?*

•Runoffisanaturalpartofthewatercycle.

•Stormwatercomesfromallformsofprecipita-tion—rain, snow, sleet or ice melt—and is water flowing over the land plus anything that comes with it.

•Contaminatedstormwaterrunoffisamajorsourceof water pollution in the US.

•Onequartofusedmotoroilcanpolluteupto250,000 gallons of water.

•Managingstormwaterisnothingnew.IfyoulivedinancientRomeorGreece,you’dcrossroadwaysthat slanted towards ditches to direct stormwater off streets. Later, people began funneling storm-water into underground pipes. Today, engineers are designing new methods like rain gardens, swales, and bioretention ponds.

Want to know more? Start your research!

*adaptedfrommyfairlakes.comStormWaterCurriculum&TeacherGuide,http://myfairlakes.com/curriculum.aspx

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draft essay using the design processWhen engineers design solutions to problems, they go through a process of brainstorming, testing different ideas, learning from mistakes, and trying again. This is called the engineering design process.

The engineering design process is a great way to work through any challenge that involves creating something that didn’t exist before, such as building a bridge, planning a trip—even writing an essay. You’ll use the design process as a framework to guide students through researching and writing their essay solutions.

stormwater 101 for educatorsFor a quick review of stormwater runoff concepts, read the Background section of Stormwater Curriculum&TeachingGuide(http://myfairlakes.com/curriculum.aspx). This guide explains the basics behind stormwater, watersheds, and the water cycle; discusses issues of stormwater runoff; and describes a variety of solutions for (1) increasing filtration, (2) reducing impervious surfaces, (3) improving water quality, and (4) conserving water.

1. pre-write discussion topics

Introduce the essay topic and get kids thinking about stormwater runoff. Have them share what they already know. Ask, What happens when it rains? Where does water that runs off roads, lawns, and rooftops go? How is stormwater managed inourcommunity?NOTE:Manycitieshavewebsitesdesignedto raise awareness and educate citizens about stormwater issues. Invite students to find out what their city or town offers.

If possible, have students observe runoff in action the next time there is precipitation. Which surfaces are pervious and impervious? What happens when water falls on impervious surfaces? Follow runoff and see how it leaves your school area orneighborhood.Doesitrunintoastormsewerorawaterwaylike a stream or pond?

The following student-friendly videos are great ways to introduce the topic:

• Stormdrains101(5min.) http://fresnofloodcontrol.org/clean_stormwater/storm%20drains%20101.mp4 Explains the basics of urban drainage system and why it’s important to keep stormwater runoff clean.

• StormwaterRunoff101(3:07min.) http://www.nrdc.org/water/stormwater/default.asp Introduces problems caused by stormwater runoff and describes green infrastructure solutions, such as permeable pavement and green roofs.

Reviewthewatercycleandhelpstudentsunderstandhow runoff is a part of this process. Also be sure students understand what a watershed is and how it is related to the larger water cycle. The following resources provide background information you can share with students.

• PowerPointPresentation:IntroductiontoStormwater http://myfairlakes.com/curriculum.aspx Introduces the water cycle; compares rainfall on natural landscape vs. city landscape; introduces some of the consequences of runoff such as erosion, flash floods, and pollution; and introduces solutions to help cityscapes function more like rural landscapes.

• StormwaterFactsforKids http://www.cleanwatercampaign.com/html/480.htm Explains the water cycle and stormwater pollution.

2. define the problem, learn the specs

To get started, engineers define the problem they want to solve andtheprojectrequirements.

Help students define the problem by reviewing the Essay Overview and Essay Outline together. How would they describe the essay problem using their own words? What are the different parts of the problem (identify stormwater runoff problems your city faces; choose one runoff problem that will be most important to manage; design a solution for managing this problem and describe how the solution works; analyze the benefits and risks connected to using the solution; incorporate into your design ways to reduce the risks; explain how you would encourage citizens to support the solution; and identify the roles of engineers in your solution).

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Next invite students to identify specific stormwater runoff problems their city would need to manage. You can use the following questions to assist students.

• Thinkaboutstormwaterrunoff:

– What is stormwater runoff?

– How is runoff part of the natural water cycle?

– What problems does stormwater runoff cause for cities?

• Thinkaboutyourfuturecity:

– What is your city’s climate (temperature, annual precipitation, type of precipitation)?

– Whatisyourcity’sgeography(landforms,majorwater bodies)?

– What is your city’s level of development (city structures such as buildings, roads, parking lots, parks, etc.)?

– What water issues does your city face (too little, too much, difficult to get, etc.)

– What is your city’s primary source of clean water?

• Identifypossiblestormwaterproblems:

– What does stormwater runoff look like in cities with locations and levels of development that are similar to your city?

– What stormwater runoff problem is most important for your city to manage?

– What is the impact of this problem on your city? 3. brainstorm solutions

Next, engineers brainstorm a range of possible solutions.

Starting with what they already know, have students brainstorm a range of solutions for managing the stormwater runoff problem they’ve identified for their city. Encourage students to think about which solutions interest them (those in use today or being developed for tomorrow). Invite them to also consider cities with locations and design features similar to their future city. How do these cities manage stormwater runoff and encourage citizens to support the solution? Then have students share ideas and brainstorm as a group.

As they research, it’s likely they’ll need to refine their ideas and solve problems that come up. This is part of the process. Help students get started by pointing them to the Resources section on page 26.

4. select and design a solution

From their initial research, have students choose one solution to research in depth and describe in their essay. Point them to the Essay Outline and Guide Students’ Thinking questions to help direct their research. As students research, invite them to

different cities face different issues

• Tucson,AZ—Dry,desertclimate.Stormwatercon-cerns: flash flooding, capturing rainwater for reuse, preventing stormwater pollution.

•portland, or—Receivesanaverageof37inchesof rain a year. Stormwater concerns: high volumes of water, flash flooding, preventing stormwater pol-lution, outdated combined sewer where stormwater runoff and wastewater are combined in a single sewer system and discharged into a local river dur-ing heavy rains.

•milwaukee, wi—Mildclimate,wintersnowac-cumulation. Stormwater concerns: snow melt with spring rains, flash flooding, preventing stormwater pollution.

•Jeddah, saudi arabia—Port city that borders the RedSea.Aridclimatewithsparserainfall,yetheavythunderstorms are common in the winter. Primary source of freshwater is desalinization of sea water. Stormwater concerns: flooding, preventing storm-water pollution, improving stormwater management infrastructure to sustain city growth.

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consider the following stormwater issues. Note that they should eventually select two and discuss how their solution addresses the issues in their essay:

•Increaseinfiltration(Howdoesitincreasetheamountofwater that soaks into the ground?)

•Reduceimpervioussurfaces(Howdoesitdecreasesurfacesthat prevent water from soaking into the ground?)

•Improvewaterquality(Howdoesitreducepollutantsandsediment from getting into the water system?)

•Conservewater(Howdoesitreducewaterusageandground-water demand by capturing water for reuse?)

•Supportsustainability(Howdoesitaccommodateincreaseinpopulationandencouragedevelopment?Canthissolu-tion be used to meet present needs as well as the needs of tomorrow?)

5. share results

Engineers present their work to colleagues to show how they solved a problem and learn new ideas from each other.

Now it’s time for your students to write their essay—the perfectvehicleforsharingtheirideaswithapanelofjudgesandkidsacrossthecountry.ReviewwithstudentstheEssayOutlinewhichdescribesthesectionsjudgeswillbeevaluating.

Remindstudentsthattheessayshouldbenolongerthan1000 words and they should cite at least three sources of information. Students should use a variety of sources of information, such as interviews with experts, reference books, periodicals,andwebsites.(NOTE:Wikipediaisnotacceptedasa source of research.)

For additional tips about researching and writing the essay, view the “Writing the Essay” video and read essays from past winners. Both are available at www.futurecity.org.

take action todayWhat happens to stormwater in your community? How can you help protect your watershed? Kids can mark storm drains, build rain gardens, write articles about stormwater for the school newspaper, and more. Find out ways to get involved by visiting Adopt Your Watershed website at: http://water.epa.gov/action/adopt/index.cfm. Kids can also monitor the quality of local waterways through WorldWaterMonitoringChallengeat:http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.com/.

Essay Outlinei. introduction: define the problem

Introduce your future city and describe its location, geography, climate, and level of development (city structures such as buildings, roads, parking lots, parks, etc.).Describethestormwaterrunoffproblemsyourcityfaces. Then identify one stormwater runoff problem, describe its impact on your city, and why you decided this was the most important problem to address.

2. body: describe your solution

•Describethesolutionyou’vechosenandhowitworks. It can be a new idea or an improvement on something already being done.

•Explainhowyoursolutionimprovesorsolvesyourcity’s stormwater runoff problem. Be sure to discuss how it addresses two of these common stormwater runoff issues: infiltration, impervious surfaces, water quality, water conservation, and/or sustainability.

•Identifywhetherthesolutionworksattheresidential, commercial, industrial, and/or citywide level.

•Describesomeoftherisksconnectedwithusingthesolution.

•Discusshowyoursolutionreducessomeoftheserisks.

•Describehowyouwouldencouragecitizenstosupport this solution through community outreach, education, and/or incentive programs.

•Describetheengineeringdisciplinesinvolvedinyoursolution and the role of the engineer you believe to be most useful in your solution.

3.ConCluSIon:SummARIZeYouRSoluTIon

•Summarizewhythesolutionyoudesignedisthebestway to manage stormwater runoff in your city.

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Competition Checklist Include the name of your city on each page of your

ResearchEssay.Remember,yourfuturecitynameneeds to remain consistent throughout the com-petition. Also, please include your organization’s name and your team name on the essay.

Place the word count at the end of the essay. The word count does not include the title and reference list, but does include captions of graphics and illustrations. A maximum of 4 graphics/illustrations are allowed.

Completetheresearch essay form. You can find this form on page 31 or download the write-ablePDFatwww.futurecity.org/forms. Please remember the educator or the mentor must sign the form to attest to its accuracy.

Use a variety of sources of information for research, such as interviews with experts, reference books, newspaper and magazine articles, and websites (Wikipedia is not accepted). Be sure to attach a list of at least three sources andusetheModernLanguageAssociation(MLA)format.Gotowww.futurecity.org/resources to downloadaMLAreferencetemplate.

MakeacopyoftheEssayForm,ResearchEssay,andReferenceListtokeepwithyourrecords.

SubmittheResearchEssayandResearchEssayFormtoyourRegionalCoordinator.

For submission details and deadlines go to www.futurecity.org and click on Find My Region.

Check ProgressAs students develop their essays, invite them to reflect on the process and evaluate their solutions (this process will help preparethemforthejudges’questions).Pointoutinterestingideas, creative thinking, and effective teamwork. Here are some questions to help guide discussion.•Whatresearchhasbeenhelpfulinunderstandingstormwater

issues and designing your solution?

•Wheredidyougetinspirationforyoursolution?

•Whataretheintendedbenefitsofyoursolution?

•Whattrade-offscomewithyoursolution?

•Howhasthedesignprocessbeenhelpfultoyou?

•Whathaveyoulearnedaboutyourselfandyourteammatesduring this process?

•Whathaveyoulearnedaboutengineeringthatyoudidn’tknow before?

research essay rubric—Have students review the rubric on pages 28–30 and evaluate their Essay using the same questions thejudgesdo.

“ The competition has given me confidence and the knowledge that as a girl, I can contribute just as much as the boys on the team.”

rachel l., texas student team member

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26 f u t u r e c i t y e d u c a t o r h a n d b o o k

Competition Scoring Teamscanearnupto75pointsfortheirResearchEssay.Makesure students have thoroughly covered the six categories to maximize points:

DefinetheProblem 9 points

Propose Solution and Technology 9 points

Analyze the Solution 15 points

Assess Technology 21 points

RoleofEngineering 6 points

Writing Skills 15 points

total 75 points

scoring deductions5 points Late work is accepted but with a slight penalty

2 points A missing or incomplete research essay form.

10 points Countcarefully—10pointswillbedeductedforexceeding the 1,000 word count limit.

ResourcesUse these online and print resources to help students launch their research.

stormwater basicswebsites:•Stormdrains 101 (video, 5 min.)

http://fresnofloodcontrol.org/clean_stormwater/storm%20drains%20101.mp4 Explains the basics of urban drainage system and why it’s important to keep stormwater runoff clean.

•Stormwater Runoff http://www.nrdc.org/water/stormwater/default.asp Introduces stormwater problems and solutions through video and case studies of how cities are implementing solutions.

•Stormwater Facts for Kids http://www.cleanwatercampaign.com/html/480.htm Introduces the water cycle and stormwater pollution.

•Clean Water Campaign http://www.cleanwatercampaign.com/html/index.htm Provides background on stormwater pollution and ways to manage it.

•USGS Water Science for Schools http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ Provides a range of information on water. See the Special Topics section for information about runoff and effects of urbanization on water quality.

•Greentreks Network http://vimeo.com/greentreks Clickon“Videos”tosearchforshortvideosdescribingdifferentbestmanagementpractices(BMPs),suchaswetponds, swales, rain barrels, bioretention islands, and porous pavement.

•Sustainable Cities: Stormwater Runoff http://www.sustainablecitiesinstitute.org/view/page.basic/class/tag.subtopic/subtopic_stormwater_runoff Describesthebenefitsandrisksconnectedtovariousrunoffmanagement methods.

•A Drop’s Life (video, 4:30 min.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg-eplatlv4 Describesthroughcartoonanimationwhathappenswhenrain falls on an urban landscape.

“ I learned that engineers play a big role in the production of a city.”

–CarolineZ.,ChicagoStudentTeammember

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27w r i t e t h e r e s e a r c h e s s a y

books•Renewing Earth’s WatersbyChristinePetersen(Marshall

CavendishBenchmark,2011) DescribestheCleanWaterActanditstreatmentofstorm-water pollution, human impact on water, and solutions for managing the future.

• Science Explorer Earth’s Waters by Jan Jenner, Ioannis Miaoulis,MarthaCyr,MichaelJ.Padilla,ThomasR.Wellnitz(Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004) Explains the water cycle, watersheds, and runoff.

• The Works: Anatomy of a City by Kate Ascher (Penguin Press, 2005). Several pages explain how stormwater is managed in New YorkCity.

word search suggestions•Bestmanagementpractices(BMP)•Combinedseweroverflows•Greeninfrastructure•Low-impactdevelopment•Nonpointsourcepollution•Permeablesurfaces•Runoff•Stormwater•Stormwaterpollution•Stormwaterrunoff•Urbanstormwater•Watercycle•Watershed

field trip ideasVisitorganizationsorinterviewpeoplerelatedtostormwatermanagement.•Localstormwatermanagementsystems(Google“stormwater

+ your town, state” to find out how stormwater is managed in your community)

•LocalLEEDcertifiedbuildingsforexamplesofgreenroofs,smart drainage, grey water reuse systems

•Wastewatertreatmentplants,pumpstations,etc.

•Sciencecenterormuseum

•Universityorcollegethathasexpertsinthefield

•Businessesthatdevelopstormwatersolutions,likeengineer-ing consulting firms and environmental equipment companies

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28 f u t u r e c i t y e d u c a t o r h a n d b o o k

i. define the ProbLeM (9 Points) 0 1 2 3

1. describe current situation• Describe runoff situation•Factorsaffectingrunoff:geographicand man-made

Nodescriptionofsituation.

Briefdescriptionofsituation.

Gooddescriptionofsituationandfactorsthatcontributetoit.

Detaileddescriptionofsituationandfactorsthatcontributetoit.

2. identify the problem to solve•Identifymostsignificantproblemarea(s)

Nodescriptionofrunoffproblem.

Briefdescriptionofrunoffproblem.

Gooddescriptionoftheproblem.

Detaileddescriptionoftheproblem.

3. Why choose this problem•Impactoncityanddevelopment(residential, commercial,industrial)•Whyitisimportant

Noexplanationofimportance.

Briefexplanationofimportance.

Goodexplanationofimportanceofsolvingthisproblemandtheimpactoncity/development.

Detailedexplanationofimportanceofsolvingthisproblemandtheimpactoncity/development.

ii. ProPose soLution, technoLoGy (9 Points)

0 1 2 3

4. Propose solution •Describeatleastonesolution/processtomanagerunoff

Nodescriptionoftheprocess.

Briefdescriptionoftheprocess.

Gooddescriptionoftheprocess.

Excellentdescriptionoftheprocess.

5. describe technology involved Nodescriptionofthetechnology.

Briefdescriptionofthetechnology.

Gooddescriptionofthetechnology.

Excellentdescriptionofthetechnology.

6. community outreach and buy-in•Communityoutreach,educationalprograms andincentives

Nodescriptionoftheoutreach.

Briefdescriptionoftheoutreachprograms.

Gooddescriptionoftheoutreachprograms.

Excellentdescriptionoftheoutreachprograms.

iii. anayLZe the soLution (15 Points)

0 1 2 3

7. how are two issues affected by solution• Infiltration•Impervioussurfaces•Waterquality•Waterconservation•Sustainability

Nodiscussionofissues.

Briefdiscussionof1-2issuesaffectedbysolution.

Gooddiscussionoftwoissuesaffectedbysolution.

Excellentdiscussionof at least two issues affectedbysolution.

8. benefits: environmental• Reducerunoff,increaseinfiltration•Improvewaterquality,reducepollution

Nodiscussionofenvironmentalimpacts.

Briefdiscussionofenvironmentalimpacts.

Gooddiscussionofimpactonenvironment,butcouldbemorecomplete.

Detailedandcompletediscussionofimpactonenvironment.

Rethink Runoff Research Essay Rubric

0 no Points Requirementsmissing

1 PoorPoor-Fairquality.Fulfillslessthan50%ofrequirements.

2 GoodAverage-Aboveaveragequality.Fulfillsatleast90%ofrequirements.

3 excellent Excellentquality.Fulfills100%ofrequirements.Additionaldistinctivefeatures.

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continued on next page

III.AnAYlZeTHeSoluTIon(continued)

0 1 2 3

9. benefits: sustainability•Waterconservation•Supportingpopulationanddevelopmental growth

No discussion of sustainable benefits.

Brief discussion of sustainable benefits.

Gooddiscussionofsustainable benefits, but could be more complete.

Detailedandcompletediscussion of sustainable benefits.

10. risks associated with solution No discussion of risks. Some discussion of risks.

Gooddiscussionofrisks, but could be more complete.

Detailedandcompletediscussion of risks.

11. tradeoffs• Discussandanalyzetradeoffs(e.g.,cost, efficiency, appearance)

No discussion or analysis of tradeoffs.

Brief discussion and analysis of tradeoffs.

Gooddiscussionandanalysis of tradeoffs.

Excellent discussion and analysis of tradeoffs.

iV. assess the technology (21PoInTS)

0 1 2 3

12. innovative solution Not innovative or original.

Somewhat original or innovative.

Solution is innovative, original.

Solution is highly innovative, original.

13. futuristic solution Not futuristic. Somewhat futuristic. Solution is futuristic. Solution is highly futuristic.

14. plausibility of solution•Basedonsoundscientificprinciples

Implausible or not scientifically sound.

Solution is not very plausible (science fiction).

Solution is somewhat plausible.

Solution is highly plausible and scientifically sound.

15. accounting for identified risks Solution does not account for identified risks.Ornorisksidentified.

Solution partially accounts for identified risks.Ignoresmajorareas.

Solution adequately accounts for identified risks.Couldbebetter.

Solution accounts for and minimizes all identified risks.

16. effectiveness of solution: managing most critical runoff problems

Not effective or ignoresmajorproblemareas.

Solution is only partially effective.

Solution is effective, but could be better.

Designishighlyeffective at resolving majorrunoffproblems.

17. effectiveness of solution: reducing environmental impact and increasing sustainability

Not effective. Solution is fairly effective.

Solution is effective, but could be better.

Designishighlyeffective.

18. effectiveness of solution: community outreach and buy-in

Not effective. Solution is fairly effective.

Solution is effective, but could be better.

Designishighlyeffective.

0 no points Requirementsmissing

1 poorPoor-Fair quality. Fulfills less than 50% of requirements.

2 goodAverage-Above average quality. Fulfills at least 90% of requirements.

3 excellent Excellent quality. Fulfills 100% of requirements. Additional distinctive features.

Rethink Runoff Research Essay Rubric

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30 f u t u r e c i t y e d u c a t o r h a n d b o o k

V.RoleoFenGIneeRInG(6PoInTS) 0 1 2 3

19. engineering disciplines involved Engineering disciplines are not identified.

OneEngineeringdiscipline is identified.

Morethanoneengineering discipline is identified.

Morethanoneengineering discipline is discussed.

20. role of an engineer The role of the various engineers involved in developing the solution is not discussed.

The role of at least one engineer involved in developing the solution is briefly discussed.

The role of at least one engineer is adequately discussed.

The role of one or more than one engineer is well discussed.

VI.WRITInGSKIllS(15PoInTS) 0 1 2 3

21. organization Poorly organized. Fair organization. Goodorganization.

22. writing skills Poorly written. Fair writing skills. Goodwritingskills.

23. grammar Manygrammaticalerrors.

A few grammatical errors.

No grammatical errors.

24. spelling Manyspellingerrors. A few spelling errors. No spelling errors.

25. maximum number of graphics• If used, max of 4 (does not include tables)

Exceeds maximum of 4 graphics and/or illustrations.

Doesnotexceedmaximum of 4 graphics and/or illustrations.

26. work appears age appropriate Work does not appear to be age appropriate.

Work appears to be age appropriate.

27. list of references•Atleastthreeacceptablereferences •Wikipedianotrecognizedasanacceptable reference•Appropriatecitations

No references. Less than three acceptable references.

At least three acceptable references.

At least three acceptable references; all appropriately cited.

Rethink Runoff Research Essay Rubric

0 no points Requirementsmissing

1 poorPoor-Fair quality. Fulfills less than 50% of requirements.

2 goodAverage-Above average quality. Fulfills at least 90% of requirements.

3 excellent Excellent quality. Fulfills 100% of requirements. Additional distinctive features.

Page 12: Learning Outcomes Rethink Runoff - Future City to every city, it’s time to rethink runoff. Instead of a nuisance to channel away, ... your future city receives lots of precipitation

31w r i t e t h e r e s e a r c h e s s a y

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