Advent of Complex Life

Formats

Working together as a group, decide how you will present your findings to the panel. Make sure to incorporate information from each of the three main question areas and teach the other members of your group about what you've learned. Your presentations and findings can be presented to the park ranger and panel in one of the following formats: 

• Podcast - an audio report, which could include interviews, audio snippets you found via the resources section, and you discussing your findings
• Paper - a written report detailing your findings, in electronic format, including images and maps
• Video - a video report, similar to the podcast, but showing images from your computer, books, or other sources that can use to support your findings.  It can include screencasts of your computer screen and interviews.
• Slideshow presentation - a Powerpoint type presentation with your findings.  Be sure to include photographs, maps and other visual aids.
• You might find the following free resources useful for creating audio and visual presentations: Podcasting, screencasting, slide shows, and other online publishing ideas. 

Evaluation

Your findings will be evaluated on a few main criteria:

• The quality and accuracy of your research
• Your ability to work together as a team and contribute equally
• The quality and creativeness of your presentation.

This evaluation rubric (65k PDF) will help you determine how well you've met your goals for the project, but check with your teacher about a modified rubric. 

Remember that your findings should be clear and persuasive and provide enough information to make an informed decision.

Show off!

Think you did an awesome job? Send in information about your project, including a link if it's available online, and the panel will send your results to NASA, with the best showcased on the NASA Astrobiology Website.