Introduction
 This WebQuest has been designed as an activity for students to work
 independently,  while other class activities (lectures, videos,labs) are also completed.
 

Content Area and Grade Level

This WebQuest covers the Theory of Plate Tectonics.  It has been designed to help develop understanding of the major geologic processes shaping the Earth's surface, geologic history, evidence, geologic hazards , and how man has been affected.

The Plate Tectonic WebQuest has been developed for  a level 2 high school  earth science class.

Curriculum Standards

The following Massachusetts state standards are addressed:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the internal and external structure of the planet earth.
• Explore and illustrate an understanding that heat flow and movement of material within the earth moves continents, causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and creates mountains and ocean bases.
• Investigate and illustrate the theory that land forms of various shapes and sizes result from both constructive and destructive processes.  Volcanic eruptions, sediment deposition, tectonic uplift, and other processes serve to build up land forms, and weathering and erosion wear them down.

Implementation Overview

This WebQuest has been designed to be completed in about one month.  The students can use time during class after other activities are completed to work.  Students can also work at home or other computers in the school.  Competed assignments will be due at assigned times during the quest.
 
 

Resources Needed

The following would be helpful in conducting WebQuest:

• accounts for all students
• signed internet user forms for all students
• computers with internet cababilities (classroom/lab/library/home)
• Netscape
• teacher web page/students would be able to access at home
• help from computer department at school
• hard copies of worksheets

The WebQuest will utilize the following links:

Dynamic Earth

Tectonic Theory Basic Information

Plate Boundaries

Plate Boundary Animation

Map of Plates

Savage Earth

Major Plate Map

Continental Drift Animation

Ring of Fire

Moon

Moon 2

The links need to be monitored to make sure they are still active.

The following locations could be used for atlas entries:

Mid Atlantic Ridge
Red Sea
East African Rift
Himalayas
San Andreas Fault
Hawaiian Islands
Andes
Swiss Alps
Mount St. Helens
Marianas Trench
Appalachian Mountains
Iceland

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

Students need basic computer knowledge and skills including:

• Netscape Navigator
• minimizing and maximizing
• menu bar
• making a file on school system
• saving and inserting images

Evaluation

The  individual worksheets and atlas entries will be graded for content.  Work on project will be evaluated using a rubric.  When the WebQuest and other class activities are completed a test will be given.

Possible Variations

The research on plate tectonics could be conducted with more guidance to help students understand the major concepts.

Conclusion

Plate tectonics is a very difficult concept for many students.  I hope this WebQuest will help students visualize and understand the importance of  the the  changing Earth.