platetectonics


 * DAY ONE EXERCISE**

Instructors will display and/or provide a map from this site @http://www.worldmapfinder.com/Map_Earth.php?ID=/En

Our Main Standard that we are focusing on today is: S6.ESS1 The learner will be able to describe the theory of plate tectonics + evidence to support the theory


 * SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY -- PART ONE**

You will need to divide into groups for the next segment. Depending on who is attending, we'll help form the groups. Each group will need at least one computer, two will be more helpful.

Within your group, you can determine some roles or share the duties of the following roles. You'll all need to help with some research.
 * 2-3 Researchers
 * 1 Reporter/Researcher
 * Cartographer (map expert)

The instructor will divide the map into sections and assign sections to each group present.

Using data from the following sites determine incidences of earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. On your map, indicate with a pencil where those incidences occur. Do the best you can at identifying the exact location. Your second computer might come in handy to identify the locations listed in the data records. As you map the locations, also be looking at the placement of major mountain ranges or underwater trenches. Plot as many as you can, noting where there are frequent events.

You may decide to divide these up across your team.

Locations of: (websites for each),

Volcanoes
 * []
 * []
 * []

Mountain ranges (significant ones)
 * []
 * [|http://www.peakware.com]

Earthquakes
 * []
 * []

Tsunamis
 * []
 * []

After you have done your plotting, bring your map to the front of the room and plot the points you have recorded on our larger map image. We'll devise some way to do this, either with Google Maps, or another instance.

//What do you notice? What patterns emerge?//

WAIT...UNTIL we can see the patterns before moving beyond this point. We'll want some time for discussion and observation here.


 * PART TWO**

The following web pages should be explored by your group as a whole group activity.

[|USGS Website Moving Slabs]

Recycling Plates

//What observations can you make to the points we have plotted that signify major earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis?// //Could you make predictions as to where earthquakes or seismic activity will occur?// //Could you predict when they would occur?//

_______________________________________________________________

These sites discuss a "theory" put forth by [|Alfred Wegener]

Wegner's theory sought to explain the pattern that you see and why seismic activity occured in those regions of the world. He called his theory Continental Drift, but we now know it as Plate Tectonics. View this Java Applet to see how Wegener proposed that the world once looked and how it changed over time.

Google Earth will be viewed by the whole group.

These plates interact in various ways. Here is a [|page that demonstrates the various ways they interact.] What conclusions can you draw about plate collisions and incidences on the surface that might occur? Divergent, Convergent and Transform-Fault boundaries: Can each student use a tool or diagram to explain to the others of the group? Another more [|grade appropriate page]

We'll finish by discussing and debriefing various parts of our lesson here. We'll discuss how we might use various tools to have students "report out" or demonstrate their understanding of Plate tectonics and how they cause seismic disturbances.

Demonstrating Understanding plate tectonics and evidence of the theory...

There is not time to move into our final task here, but from this point, we want students to show an understanding of what they have learned. This may be in the form of a model they build, a tool they might use to draw or diagram the plates and their interaction with one another..(mindomo, Inspiration, a simple Paint or drawing tool online), or even something like a Voicethread that explains the process in voice and diagram.

A very [|brief sample of a Voicethread] that shows the three plate boundary types. Students may use this tool to produce brief creative videos and media that demonstrate their understanding of concepts.

Peters Parking Lot......may or may not use... Use any of the following web resources to find data to plot on your maps. Major Earthquake records European Mediterranean Seismological Centre USGS Latest Earthquakes Past 7 Days Major Volcanoes Map [|Exercise similar to this one from USGS]

PART TWO: Theories... Activity Two: What constitutes a theory and what constitutes a law in science?