A WebQuest for Earth Science

Designed by:

John Jay High School Earth Science Department (Cross River, NY)

 Figure 1

Introduction

You are a “Time Travel Agent” and you get paid to convince potential customers to travel back in time to visit New York State during the geologic time period of your expertise (assigned by the teacher). Potential customers will need to know about the attractions of this period including: Life on Earth (including the types of species living at that time), Tectonic Events Affecting Northeast North America, Important Geologic Events in New York, and the Inferred Position of the Earth’s Landmasses including the approximate latitude of New York State.

Figure 2

Figure 3

The Task

In order to entice customers to take trips to your geologic time period, you must create one of the following:

• Brochure (using Microsoft Publisher)
• Webpage
• Powerpoint Presentation

Figure 4

Direct your materials to a specific audience.

Some suggestions include:

• Families
• Singles
• Retirees
• Couples
• Spring Breakers
• Other…

The Process

Include information about the following aspects

of your assigned geologic time period:

A. The first page of your assignment should include a title of the geologic time period including the start and end in “millions of years ago” of your period. Be sure to hook your audience with a catchy slogan that appeals to their interests (ex. Parents! Pick the Proterozoic for your next family adventure!). We strongly recommend that you incorporate an interesting graphic to lure your customers.

2. The names of the plant and animal species alive on Earth at that time. (Include pictures! – non-negotiable.) Select one plant or animal and describe why they would be interesting to see.

3. Explain what Geologic/Tectonic Events would be affecting Northeast North America during your time period.

4. Based on the Inferred Position of Earth’s Landmasses, determine the general latitude that New York is currently at during your time period. Use this information to alert your customers to the type of clothing they will need to bring in order to be prepared for the climate.

5. Create a bibliography of the websites you used to create your advertisement. List them in alphabetical order. Be sure to label any image you use with the source.

Figure 5

Resources

Google Search Engine

Origin/Explanation of time periods

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/geotime/divisions.html

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/fossils/scale.html

Data about how the earth looks by time period

http://www.scotese.com/earth.htm

Climate data by time period

http://www.scotese.com/climate.htm

Life and conditions by time period

http://gallery.in-tch.com/~earthhistory/geologic%20timepage.html

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/geology.html

http://www.palaeos.com/Timescale/default.htm

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.html

http://www.uky.edu/KGS/education/earthhistory.html

http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/geology/geo102.htm

http://www.dinodata.net/EH/Vendian.htm

Does your time period contain one of the five worst extinctions?

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/extinction_sidebar_000907.html

Evaluation

	Beginning	Developing	Accomplished	Exemplary	Score
Section A: Introduction 4 points	Lacks the basic components. Does not include one of the primary elements listed in directions (1)	Includes geologic time period, age and a weak slogan and/or an irrelevant picture (2)	Includes geologic time period, age, relevant slogan, interesting picture (3)	Includes all required components and is very visually attractive and engaging (4)
Section B: Life on Earth 4 points	Missing important plants and animal of the time period and/or does not contain a picture or description (1)	Includes a few of the animals and plans, weak description and picture included (2)	Includes plants and animals, highlights one plant or animal with picture and description (3)	Includes a variety of plants and animals and exceptionally describes and illustrates their setting (4)
Section C: Geologic Events 4 points	Incoherent explanation of the geologic events (1)	Unclear explanation of the geologic events (2)	Clear explanation of the geologic events (3)	Detailed explanation of the geologic events (4)
Section D: Climate of New York State 4 points	Poor estimation of the latitude and an incomplete or no packing list (1)	Fair estimation of latitude and a complete packing list (2)	Good estimation of latitude and well developed packing list for customers (3)	Excellent estimation of latitude, and creative, thorough packing list (4)
Section E: Bibliography 2 points	Incomplete and incorrectly done (.5)	Incomplete but correctly done (1)	Complete but incorrectly done (1.5)	Complete and correctly done (2)
Mechanics 2 points	Presentation has 5 or more grammatical errors (.5)	Presentation has 3 or 4 spelling or grammatical errors (1)	Presentation has 1 or 2 spelling or grammatical errors (1.5)	No spelling or grammatical errors (2)
Presentation Quality 4 points	No logical organization. Others not likely to learn from this product (1)	Some logical organization. Others may find it difficult to learn from this product (2)	Logical organization. Others can learn from this product (3)	Highly organized. Others likely to learn from this product (4)
Presentation Originality 4 points	A minimal collection and rehash of other people’s ideas. No evidence of new thought (1)	A large collection and rehash of other people’s ideas. No evidence of new thought (2)	Product shows some original thought and creativity (3)	Product uses original approach effectively. Engaging and creative (4)
Use of Class Time 2 points	Majority of class time was wasted (.5)	Little class time was wasted (1)	No class time was wasted (1.5)	Maximized class time and helped others (2)

Credits & References

The WebQuest Page

http://webquest.sdsu.edu/

This template is the courtesy of WebQuest

Images

Figure 1: www.ontime.tv/ nextproject.html

Figure 2: www.mordenmuseum.com/ aboutus.html

Figure 3: www.grinpach.cl/ Novedades2.htm

Figure 4: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ffave/e_galerie.html

Figure 5: www.postage.dk/BERLINWEST/ BW616.html