research essay research presentation

/in /by

Research Essay

First Steps

  • Thoroughly read the Research Project page for directions on how to choose a topic in sustainability.
  • The link to this page is found directly from our course homepage.

Short Essay Directions

  • Part of your project is to write a short essay on your research topic in your own words.
  • Please use a minimum of three sources to back up your statements on your topic.

Guidelines

  • You must write a 500-word short report in your own words on this topic.
  • This assignment has a Turnitin Plagiarism Checker built in automatically.
    • Your paper must match known sources by less than 20% or it will receive half credit.
  • Use at least 3 credible sources from our library database.
  • You must properly cite all sources in the APA style in your paper:

Uploading Checklist

  • To submit your paper, you are required to upload a .pdf version of the document
  • Do not forget to have your Works Cited section at the end of the submission
  • Please note that this assignment will ONLY accept file uploads that end with a .pdf extension
    • You must properly save your document as a pdf in order for the file to upload
    • Email your professor well before the due date if you need help saving a pdf

    Research Project

    What Should Other Students Know About Sustainability?

    • Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
    • The Learning for a Sustainable Future organization further clarifies by saying that a sustainable future is one in which a healthy environment, economic prosperity, and social justice are pursued simultaneously to ensure the well-being and quality of life of present and future generations.
    • You will choose a question or problem in sustainability, and you will have only a couple weeks to complete all the necessary components of this project. Your task will be to do research and then present your findings in both an online presentation and a short research essay. During the course of your research, you should become an expert on your topic.

    Project Overview

    What Are You Doing?

    1. Do online library research. You will choose a topic that covers some aspect of sustainability. Examples include (but are not limited to):
      • climate change
      • water issues or drought
      • energy use or alternatives
      • waste, recycling, or compost issues
      • biodiversity loss
      • habitat destruction
    2. Make a slideshow. You will create a short research presentation, using the presentation software of your choice.
    3. Write an essay. You will write a short research essay in the APA style.

    Due Monday, November 18

    Online Research

    • The CSM Library Journal Database is your best option for credible sources.
    • You need at least three sources from our library database that come from peer-reviewed journals.
    • In order to access the database from a computer off-campus, you must enter in a Peninsula Library card number.
    • If distance education students don’t have a Peninsula Library card, you may get an online library card number (Links to an external site.) to access the CSM library journal databases from your home or workplace.

    Research Presentation

    • Worth 20 points; click the Research Presentation link to launch the assignment upload link.
    • To earn full points, your research project presentation needs the following parts on at least five slides (at minimum):
      1. Project title on the first slide, including your full name and date of submission
      2. A short summary of the topic
      3. Five labeled or captioned pictures (at minimum)
      4. One labeled or captioned graph (at minimum)
      5. List of three personal things students can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle
      6. List of sources

    Free Online Presentation Options

    Free Office 365 for SMCCD Students

    CSM Computer Labs

    • Microsoft Powerpoint
    • Apple Keynote

    Research Essay

    • Worth 20 points; click the Research Essay link to launch the assignment.
    • You must write a 500-word short report in your own words on this topic.
    • This assignment has a Turnitin Plagiarism Checker built in automatically.
      • Your paper must match known sources by less than 20% or it will receive half credit.
    • Use at least 3 credible sources from our library database.
    • You must properly cite all sources in the APA style in your paper:

    Research Presentation

    First Steps

    • Thoroughly read the Research Project page for directions on how to choose a topic in sustainability.
    • The link to this page is found directly from our course homepage.

    Directions

    • You will make a presentation using the software tool of your choice.
    • Once you are finished, you will save the presentation slides as a PDF, which must be uploaded to Canvas.
    • Simply select the Submit Assignment link on this page once you are ready to upload your final presentation.
      • Please note that this assignment is set so that it will only accept a file upload that has been saved as a PDF.
      • Email your professor if you do not know how to save your file as a PDF.

    Rubric

    • To earn full points, your research project presentation needs the following parts on at least five slides (at minimum):
      1. Project title on the first slide, including your full name and date of submission
      2. A short summary of the topic
      3. Five labeled or captioned pictures (at minimum)
      4. One labeled or captioned graph (at minimum)
      5. List of three personal things students can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle
      6. List of sources

    Tips for Success

    • Use as many slides as it takes to present your topic completely.
    • Slides should not be too text heavy and should instead use bullet points.
    • Be sure to include at least one picture per slide for visual interest.

    Presentation Software Options

    Free to Download

    Free Office 365 for SMCCD Students

    CSM Computer Labs

    • Microsoft Powerpoint
    • Apple Keynote