Physical Geography
FIELD STUDY PROJECT
Physical Geography is essentially a study of the landscape and weather. It addresses the processes
that create the landscape including atmospheric conditions.
As a student of Geography, you will be able to create a FIELD STUDY PROJECT which will document
your accumulated geographic knowledge.
This project offers you an opportunity to apply critical thinking skills and hands-on experience
addressing Geographic concepts and topics. You will be able to gain an in-depth understanding of the
physical landscape as you observe and document aspects of the natural environment and atmospheric
conditions.
You will be working “in the field”. Which simply means going outdoors for 3 separate
observations to 3 different locations.
This is not an online research project. It is a personal outdoor exploration and experience designed by
you.
RESOURCES: Utilize any Geography textbooks and online resources. There is great information
that will help you! Information from Visitor Centers, kiosks, printed material relating to your topic.
PROJECT COMPONENTS
This field study project is simply a recording of your observations, analysis, and interpretations of the
physical aspects of the landscape and atmosphere.
Your project, when completed, will include a cover page, 3 locations/ observations, labeled photos,
maps, and a resource page.
ENTRY COMPONENTS
You are designing this journal. The only requirement is that you conduct 3 separate observations to
3 different locations throughout the semester. You choose the locations.
Provide 3 pages for each entry, including photos and maps for each entry.
You will compile your finished product and submit it, via CANVAS, on the due date.
The HEADING for each of your 3 entries will include the following:
• Date, Day, Time, Location
• Description of the area
MAKE OBSERVATIONS. PROVIDE ANALYSIS.
Complete these statements, as many as you can, while studying your object of focus:
• I notice….
• I wonder…
• This reminds me of…
The choice of topics for observation will be different for each student. There are many different
aspects to focus on and observe. It really depends on your own location and what you are able to
observe. No particular requirements.
BELOW ARE SOME EXAMPLES. YOU MAY CHOOSE YOUR OWN IDEAS AS WELL AS THESE:
WEATHER
EXAMPLE: Your focus one week may be the weather. Perhaps it’s cloudy, or a change in the weather is
occu
ing. This is a great opportunity for observation and analysis of the atmosphere. Use this
opportunity to observe cloud formation. Not all clouds are alike. They are classified by shape and
altitude. ( Any geography textbook explains this in detail and provides illustrations/photos of cloud
classification. )
Take photos of the clouds, edit your photos to include the best few as your documentation.
Using your text, determine which type of clouds you are observing. (If you do not have your required
textbook, explore online resources for guidance in cloud classification.)
Include labeled photos, one with you in the photo at your location, and a map.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
EXAMPLE: Your focus could be on the su
ounding natural landscape of your chosen location. Take
photos that best depict your observation and analysis. Determine what type of biome you may be
observing. ( Information on “BIOMES” are found in Chapter 11 in your text.)
Observe the density, or lack of density of the vegetation. Does it speak to the possible amount of water
available? Or the steepness of the slope? Is the slope facing to the north or south? What is the
difference? If you are observing trees, try to determine which species you see. Help for identification
of trees can be found online. Yes, use online resources when necessary and include them on your
“RESOURCE PAGE.
Using information from any Geography textbook find the co
ect biome that exists in southern
California, apply that information to what you are seeing. Are you seeing examples of what the text is
discussing?
Include labeled photos, one with you in the photo at your location, and a map.
HUMAN/ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION
EXAMPLE: You might choose an aspect of Human/Environment interaction. How do humans interact
with their environment? Have humans built over the entire area within your location? Are there open
spaces not built upon? What do you think are the reasons for how landscape are modified to fit into
human purposes? Be open to many types of possibilities when dealing with humans and how the
landscape is modified or conformed to. How about houses built upon a hillside? Why is that? How do
humans overcome the environment/nature?
Include labeled photos, one with you in the photo at your location, and a map.
DESTINATION LOCATION
EXAMPLE: You might choose a “destination location” for one of your observations. A destination
location is one in which there is a significant feature or aspect that draws people to the location.
Typically, a VISITOR CENTER would be on the premises, or informative “kiosks” that provide
information.
There are many “destination locations” nea
y in our area in addition to those a bit further in distance
from your home area. Any destination location will be fine, so long as it deals with those aspects of the
landscape/ physical geography. Meaning that an Art Gallery, Museum, or other “Cultural” type setting
is not your focus for this particular project.
Include labeled photos, one with you in the photo at your location, and a map.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Include your own thoughts in each observation. This is refe
ed to as a “Reflection”.
This can be done in any form. Na
ative, diary entry, poem, prose, drawing, etc.
Be sure to include a reflection with each weekly entry.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMPONENT SPECIFICS
_________ COVER PAGE: Project Title, Your name, date, course, Professor’s name.
XXXXXXXXXXYou must also include a photo of yourself on the cover page.
_________ 3 SEPARATE OBSERVATIONS to 3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
Entries must be at least 3 pages consisting of at least 1 full page of text. Your college level
writing should be thorough, informative and accurate.
Include photos to illustrate your discussion and allow the reader to “see” what you observed.
XXXXXXXXXXRemember: You must include a photo of yourself at each location.
_________ LABELED PHOTOS:
XXXXXXXXXXInclude photos with labels. Labels, or captions, allow your reader to understand the photo.
Use multiple photos to illustrate your observations and provide visual documentation.
Be sure to include one photo of yourself at each location.
_________ LABELED MAPS:
Include maps of each location. Label the map. Labels, or captions, allow your reader to
understand the maps. Make the maps large enough on the page for the “reader” to be able to
ead it.
_________ RESOURCE PAGE:
XXXXXXXXXXProvide a “Resource Page” at the end of your journal. Any information you collected or used
XXXXXXXXXXfor this project goes here. Resources include: Internet, textbooks, personal interviews, etc.
ASSESSMENT
Your Field Study Project will be assessed and given points based upon the completed components:
60 points: TEXT – At least 1 full page for each of 3 different locations.
15 points: PHOTOS - labeled
15 points: MAPS- labeled
10 points: RESOURCE PAGE and COVER PAGE
_____________
100 Possible points
Check your Canvas assignments for the due date. Be sure to have all components together when
submitting this project.
HAVE FUN!