Volcano Research Project
(Adapted by Mrs. Fisher from a lesson posted by Fourth Grade teachers at Central Elementary School in Iron Mountain, Michigan at http://www.imschools.org/centel/volcano_research_project.htm)
Due _day, ___ __, 200_
You have been chosen to participate in a field research project studying volcanoes! As the top candidate for the job, you get to
choose where you will work: Mt. Rainier in Orting, Washington; Mt. Etna in Sicily, Italy; or Mt. Pinatubo in Pinatubo, Philippines.
You’re extremely excited for the opportunity to do this special research, but you also take your personal safety quite seriously.
After all, these are volcanoes we’re talking about! You have decided to research each of the volcanoes before you give the
program director your final decision.
TASK: You will research each of the three volcanoes. Determine at least four (4) important factors in making your decision
about where to work. These factors may include (but are not limited to): past eruption history, preparations made by each town to
increase resident safety, recent seismic activity, estimated damage by eruptions, local geography, etc. After you choose your
factors, you will research each volcano, focusing on those factors. Your research should also include general information about
each volcano. You will write a report summarizing your findings and your final choice of location.
REQUIREMENTS: You will need to search the internet, a current encyclopedia, and/or books to complete your research.
Remember, good research will cover more than one type of media. The finished project will be submitted in the form of a written
report, preferably typewritten. Your report may include pictures and/or illustrations, but these are optional and should only be
included to support your written report. Be sure to keep track of where you find your information because you are required to
include a reference list in your report. This project is worth 100 points, the same as a chapter test.
PROCESS: After choosing your factors, create a chart to take notes on the information you find. This will make it easier to
compare the three volcanoes and make an informed decision. It will also help you narrow your research and allow you to see
what you still need. As you find information, record it in the appropriate place on the chart. When you have collected all of the
information you need, you may begin to assemble your report. The final report needs to state the factors you chose to research
and why you chose those factors, your preference of location, and support for your decisions with details. If you choose, your
report may take the form of a letter to the program director. Your report should be able to convince the reader that you have
made the correct decision based on the facts.
WORKING ON THE PROJECT: You will be given several class periods to work on this project, including lessons on academic
honesty and writing a reference list, as well as library time for internet and encyclopedia research. You will need to work on this
project outside of class to complete it properly. You also have the option of working with a partner. This choice should be
considered very carefully. If you choose to work with a partner, both students will receive the same grade on the project.
Because of the additional effort needed to coordinate work between partners, all partnerships must have parent approval (for
each student involved) and this approval must be on file with Mrs. Fisher by __day, _____ __, 200_. There will be no exceptions
to this rule. If requested, students have been given the approval form.
EXTRA CREDIT OPTION: This project has an optional component worth up to 20 extra credit points. To receive extra credit,
you will create a 5 – 10 minute Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to accompany your report. Your presentation will teach the
class about volcanoes in general and the volcano you chose in the main project. There will be no extra time given to work on this
component. It is due at the same time as the written project and you will be scheduled to give your presentation during class on
or before __day, _____ __, 200_. All extra credit projects should be saved to 3.5” disk(s) or CD(s) and/or e-mailed directly to
Mrs. Fisher.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
I acknowledge that I have received the guidelines for the Volcano Research Project and I understand that this project is due no
later than _____day, _____ __, 200_.
Student Signature __________________________________________________________ Date ______________
Parent Signature ___________________________________________________________ Date ______________