SCHOOL OF PRE-UNIVERSITY STUDIES

Foundation of Natural and Built Environments (FNBE)

Taylor’s Lakeside Campus

ELEMENTS OF NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT (ARC30605)

Prerequisite: None
Lecturers: Noorul Iffa Mohd Nayan

PROJECT 1
Nature Exploration Scrapbook (40% Individual + Group)
Submission: Week 6 (25th April 2019, Thursday)

Introduction

To appreciate nature you have to first notice it, admire it, and feel it. Only then you can begin the act of
showing your appreciation. Not to other people, but to yourself. The way you see the natural environment
shapes the way you treat it. You will need to treat the natural environment with greater respect. The task
of this assignment is to create awareness and to look at the natural environment from a different
perspective and eventually it will remind you of your role towards the natural environment.

“Human beings and the natural world have a complicated relationship. Often, and necessarily to some
extent, we treat nature as a source of resources for human consumption, and, as such, a commodity that
can be bought and sold. At other times, we approach nature with the aim of understanding it, with the
perspective of the scientist or natural historian. Sometimes we simply enjoy being in nature, engaging in
activities such as snorkelling or hiking. Some see nature through the prism of religion and spirituality,
whether an established religious code or more personal beliefs and attitudes. And sometimes, we relate
to nature by appreciating its beauty, as when we marvel at the sight of a mighty mountain peak, or gaze
with pleasure on a heron labouring in flight. Because human interests and aims are so varied, and because
nature itself is so vast, our relationship with the natural world is a many-faceted one. Further, a particular
encounter with nature may involve several of these ways of relating to nature, perhaps even concurrently.”
Parsons, Glenn. Aesthetics and Nature, edited by Glenn Parsons, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2008. ProQuest Ebook Central

Objectives of the Assignment

The objectives of this project:

• To create awareness of the elements of nature.
• To be exposed to the elements of nature and its basic unit, form and function.
• To understand the interrelation between natural elements and manmade elements.
• To question, analyse and articulate the impact towards natural environment.

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Learning Outcomes of the Assignment

Upon successful completion of this assignment, students will be able to demonstrate the following;
• To identify and describe the different elements as well as the characteristics of natural
environment.
• To analyse the function of the elements of natural and built environment by exploring the basic
elements such as natural topography, landscape etc.
• To initiate ideas related to natural elements through observation, data collection, and evaluation.

Tasks - Methodology

This project is divided into 2 parts, which are 1A and 1B. Please read the instructions carefully.

PART 1A:
“Documentary Series Watch”

Individually, students are required to watch an award-

winning nature documentary produced by BBC Natural
History Unit entitled of “Planet Earth”. The series was
completed in 5 years and had its first premiere in 2005. A
year later, it had been shown in 130 countries all over the
world. This most expensive documentary series and the
first to be filmed in HD (high definition) is on Netflix
Malaysia until 31st March 2019. Therefore, students are
compulsory to attend the screening as scheduled at Library
Theatrette, Taylor’s Library.

Students are to watch all 5 episodes in the series which are;

Episode 01: From Pole to Pole

Episode 02: Mountains
Episode 04: Caves
Episode 08: Jungles
Episode 09: The Shallow Seas

From the 5 episodes, choose the best 4 episodes that attract you the most and to compulsorily include
the Episode 01 in the selection. Hence, your selection will be only from Episode 02/04/08/09 only (to
choose 3). There are required contents/ information you need to gather and obtain from the specific
episodes as tabulated below;

Episode 01: From Pole to Pole (*Compulsory)

- Description about the earth system, different locality/ poles/ latitude and 4 different seasons.
- The most interesting natural phenomenon or natural process featured in this episode.

Episode 02: Mountains

- Description about mountains in general.
- Elaboration on 2 selected mountains, its characters, the natural processes or elements that made
up the mountain structures/ forms.
- Explanation on 5 species of animals and 1 species of plant featured in this episode.
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 Episode 04: Caves
- Diagram with explanation of the structure of caves available on earth.
- Description on 2 most interesting caves in the world, its characteristics, features and the natural
process involved etc.
- Explanation on 4 bizarre/ unique animal species and 2 species of plants featured in this episodes.

Episode 08: Jungles

- Description on the forest types/ locations/ layers and the characteristics in general including 1 of
the most unique/ interesting natural process/ phenomenon found in forests or jungles featured
in this episode.
- Explanation on 4 different species of plants (i.e fastest vs slowest growing, parasites/ colonized/
predators etc.) and 4 different species of jungle animals (different characteristics and their
survival mechanism/ hunting techniques/ habitat/ mating/ lifecycle etc.)

Episode 09: The Shallow Seas

- Explanation of the difference between all types; seas/ oceans/ coastlines with 1 detailed
explanation most interesting shallow sea that attract you the most.
- Explanation 5 interesting/ unique marine life, 2 different aquatic plants and 1 type/ species of
coral reef featured in this episode.

PART 2:
“Exploring Nature”

Students are compulsory to undertake this task at Janda Baik, Pahang during the field trip as scheduled.
You are required to form 4 groups consisting of 8-9 people to be assigned with ONE of the earth
components as your main natural setting of site as below:

1. Atmosphere (on air/ expose to air - animal population/ big trees etc.) - GROUP 1
2. Hydrosphere (on water or underwater - flora & fauna etc.) - GROUP 2
3. Geosphere (on ground/ underground - rocks formation etc.) - GROUP 3
4. Biosphere (specific to flora species/ habitat on land - apart from above) - GROUP 4

As a group, you need to select a site within the boundary in Janda Baik that well described the assigned
natural setting above. There is no limit of the size, however it must be within the boundary set earlier.
You need to mark your site with suitable temporary material (i.e tape/strings - please remove from the
area after work is done), and to capture it through photographs and sketches (plan & elevation view of
the site).

Within the chosen site, you are to conduct a site investigation and observation on how the ecosystem,
the site characteristics, elements and existing conditions. You are also to capture the destructions/
damages/ problems on the existing site and to further research on how would be the possible factors
and causes contributing to the circumstances.

*Note;
The site observation will be done in group, however the outcome from this task should be depending on
individual interpretations, understanding, thoughts and effort.

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Assignment Timeline:

Week Task to Complete Expected Outcome

Week 1 - Project Briefing (Part 1A) - Understanding on the tasks &
22/03/19 - Video screening as scheduled instructions.
- Watching the series.
Week 2 - To start developing the content for all 4 - Draft of structure of content.
29/03/19 different series. - Draft of research findings
- To conduct/ explore further on the - Preparation of field trip.
extended information needed.
Week 3 - Briefing Part 1B, group formation & task - Group discussion.
05/04/19 distributions. - Advanced research on possible
- Researching on infographic examples/ content before trip
diagrams etc. - Draft of Part 1A
- Completing the content of Part 1A and
finalizing it.
Week 4 - To gather information/ findings from field - Draft of Part 1A & 1B in infographic
12/04/19 trip. formats.
- To structure the content for both 1A & 1B - Final content of both parts.
- To transfer all written information on to
infographic format.
Week 5 - To finalize and complete all works for both - Final draft of Project 1 contains both
19/04/19 parts. parts, 1A & 1B
- To final check on the layout/ composition &
other requirements needed.
Week 6
25/04/19 SUBMISSION ON 25TH APRIL 2019, THURSDAY AT ENBE TUTORIAL CLASS

Submission Requirements

The submission requirements for this assignment, both parts (Part 1A & 1B) are as following;

1. The scrapbook must be in A4, portrait orientation with min 20 pages excluding back and front
cover. You may prepare it on A4 loose paper (avoid using thin printing paper) and wire bind it
for submission.

2. You must clearly divide the components of the task, Part 1A and Part 1B and to provide proper
table of content in page 1 after the cover. You may choose any type of paper however to select
thicker paper for front and back cover page and to bind with plastic cover to secure the work.

3. There is only 10% photos allowed to be printed (for Part 1B only, NO photos allowed for Part
1A), to include more visual note takings, sketched diagrams and NO long paragraph. You can
use any medium of coloring, can mix with colored and monochrome works.

4. All information must be handwritten (to use architectural lettering if possible) and hand drawn
in infographic format as pictured below;

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 Sources: Pinterest

5. Organize, structure and arrange your findings, content and thoughts systematically and clearly
on papers. Make sure your contents are aligned with your table of content and page numbers.
The composition, layout and content flow are critically important.

6. SUBMISSION IS ON WEEK 6, 25th APRIL 2019, THURSDAY AT TUTORIAL CLASS VENUE.

*Gentle reminder;
Any work submitted late will yield 10% mark deduction. For works submitted later than 2 days, no
assessment will be done.
If you are sick on the submission day, you have to provide MC with an official letter signed by
parents/guardian explaining about your health condition. A formal email should be written to the module
coordinator a day before/or before submission time.

*****PLEASE PRINT THE RUBRIC (WILL BE POSTED) AND ATTACH THE COMPLETE FORM WHEN
HANDING OVER THE ASSIGNMENT. ******

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Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria for this assignment will be based on:

• Demonstrate understanding and depth of content, facts and observation towards the site
(substance + critical understanding)
• Creativity, graphics, arrangements, layout, readability and clarity of illustrations (delivery of
content and visual quality to support content)
• Completeness of documents and meeting the requirements stated in brief (meeting the
requirements)

Marking Criteria

Marks shall be distributed as follows:

Work will be assessed based on the following assessment criteria:

Demonstrate understanding and depth of content, facts, personal thought, personal observation
(observation+ critical understanding +personal thought) 50%

Creativity, graphics, arrangements, layout, readability and clarity of illustrations

(Delivery of content and visual quality to support content) 40%

Meeting the brief and requirements 10%

TOTAL: 100%

Suggested References

These are just some links that should start you with your independent learning through research. Please
don’t just refer to these links.

1. http://koransky.com/Trackers/Other/NatureAwareness.htm
2. http://omtimes.com/2012/03/11-ways-to-appreciate-nature-that-you-never-thought-about/
3. http://visual.ly/what-is-an-infographic
4. https://stamping.thefuntimesguide.com/scrapbook_journaling/
5. http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a9093/build-a-terrarium-in-6-
steps-15574536/