WebQuest+Inquiry+Qi

Journey to Center of Earth

// Original // Introduction You have been selected as part of a team for an important scientific mission by a new, secret government agency. You are being asked to travel to the center of the Earth to collect samples of the Earth core for scientific research. There is great hope that the samples you collect will be used in many exciting and beneficial scientific applications. This mission is unlike any ever conducted before. Previous attempts to reach the center of the Earth have failed because explorers have not been able to design a vehicle that reach all the way to the Earth's core.

The Task Your mission is to design a vehicle that your team can use to travel through each layer of the Earth and to the very center of our planet. In order to design the perfect vehicle, you will first need to research the layers of the Earth and understand the challenges of penetrating each layer. Each member of your team will be assigned one of the four layers of the Earth to research. Based on the findings of each team member, your team will design one vehicle capable of making it through all of the Earth layers. Finally, you will present the findings of your research and the your vehicle design to a panel of other scientists.

The Process
 * 1) In order to complete your mission, you have been assigned to a team of four students. Each of the members of your team will select one of the four layers of the Earth to focus on for this project. You will become the team expert in the layer that you select. The four layers of the Earth are:
 * Crust
 * Mantle
 * Outer Core
 * Inner Core

2. To become a true expert on the layer of Earth you have selected, you will need to research your layer. While conducting your research, you should record what you learn. Attached below is a worksheet that asks questions on the key characteristics of each layer of the Earth. As you conduct your research, be sure to answer all the questions.

In addition, there are many websites that provide useful information on the Earth and its layers. You can access a list of some of these websites at the following Diigo website:
 * 1) Now it is time to apply what you have learned! You should meet with other members of your team and exchange information about the layers of Earth that each of your team members has researched. Use this time as an opportunity to teach your fellow teammates all that you learned about your layer and what you think some of the challenges of traveling through your layer might be. Also, like any good scientist collecting information, you must listen closely to what your fellow teammates report on their layers. Only through the collective efforts of your entire team will you be able to design a vehicle that can travel through all of the Earth layers!
 * 2) Based on the information that you and your teammates have exchanged about the different layers of the Earth, your team should come up with a list of features that your vehicle will require to penetrate each layer and travel to the Earth core. Be creative in making your list, but remember to apply the knowledge that you have learned about each layer.
 * 3) Your team can now begin to design the vehicle! Your team will be given poster board, pencils, markers, scrap paper, construction paper, glue and any other supplies you may need to complete your design. Your team should brainstorm the design and produce a few rough drafts of the vehicle before getting started on the final version. Use these materials to draw a clear diagram of your team vehicle. Be sure to label each feature of the vehicle that your team believes will contribute to the vehicle ability to travel to the center of the Earth.
 * 4) Once your team has finished designing the vehicle, the team should begin preparing for its presentation. Each team member should speak during the presentation. Your portion of your team's presentation should focus on the features of the vehicle that will help it penetrate the layer of the Earth that you researched. Remember that you are presenting your vehicle to a large panel of scientists who are also very knowledgeable on the layers of the Earth. You will need to explain clearly to the panel why your team believes its vehicle is capable of reaching the center of the planet.

// (My Revision) // Introduction You have been selected as part of a team for an important scientific mission by a new, secret government agency. You are being asked to travel to the center of the Earth to collect samples of the Earth core for scientific research. There is great hope that the samples you collect will be used in many exciting and beneficial scientific applications. This mission is unlike any ever conducted before. Previous attempts to reach the center of the Earth have failed because explorers have not been able to successfully design a vehicle that reach all the way to the Earth's core.

The Task Your mission is to plan a travel to the center of the Earth to collect samples of the Earth core for scientific research. In order to successfully finish this task, your team should research the layers of the Earth, design a vehicle that your team can use to travel through each layer of the Earth and to the very center of our planet, as well as plan and record this travel. Finally, you will present the findings of your research and your design to a panel of other scientists.

The Process Each one needs to survey and chart each layer of Earth. While conducting your research, you should record what you learn. You need to note any special features of each layer. Attached below is a worksheet that asks questions on the key characteristics of each layer of the Earth. As you conduct your research, be sure to answer all the questions. In addition, there are many websites that provide useful information on the Earth and its layers. You can access a list of some of these websites at the following Diigo website:
 * 1) In order to complete your mission, you will work with three students as a team. Each member will research one of four layers of the Earth:
 * Crust
 * Mantle
 * Outer Core
 * Inner Core

 2. Now it is time to apply what you have learned! You should discuss with other members of your team and exchange information about the layers of Earth that each of your team members has researched. Use this time as an opportunity to teach your fellow teammates all that you learned about your layer and what you think some of the challenges of traveling through your layer might be. Also, like any good scientist collecting information, you must listen closely to what your fellow teammates report on their layers. Only through the collective efforts of your entire team will you be able to design a vehicle that can travel through all of the Earth layers!

 3. Based on the information that you and your teammates have exchanged about the different layers of the Earth, your team should come up with a list of features that your vehicle will require to penetrate each layer and travel to the Earth core. Be creative in making your list, but remember to apply the knowledge that you have learned about each layer.

 4. Your team can now begin to design the vehicle! Your team will be given poster board, pencils, markers, scrap paper, construction paper, glue and any other supplies you may need to complete your design. Your team should brainstorm the design and produce a few rough drafts of the vehicle before getting started on the final version. Use these materials to draw a clear diagram of your team vehicle. Be sure to label each feature of the vehicle that your team believes will contribute to the **vehicle's** ability to travel to the center of the Earth. More importantly, do not forget to note materials needed and write operating instructions.

 5. After designing the vehicle, your team needs to set the route which your vehicle will need to travel. In addition, you should analyze weather conditions to decide what kind of weather condition is best for your trip.

 6. Each member in your team chooses one of the following tasks in your travel:  Plan and organize all supplies needed for the mission (including food, clothing and equipment).  Write the mission log.  Record any discoveries.  Record life on the vehicle.

 7. Once your team has finished designing the vehicle and a series of preparation, the team should begin preparing for its presentation. Each team member should speak during the presentation. Your portion of your team's presentation should focus on the features of the vehicle that will help it penetrate the layer of the Earth that you researched. Remember that you are presenting your vehicle to a large panel of scientists who are also very knowledgeable on the layers of the Earth. You will need to explain clearly to the panel why your team believes its vehicle is capable of reaching the center of the planet to collect samples of the Earth core.

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS

Hi Qi! This was actually one of my favorite webquests. I know that i would enjoy this activity if my teacher assigned it to me. I like how you added steps 5, 6, and 7 in the process. I think that #'s 5 and 6 really give the students the chance to get creative and come up with information on their own. The only thing that i changed was a typo that I bolded. --JEN

Victoria's comments: Qi, I liked that you added to the task, so that it's not just about engineering a vehicle. Planning the trip would be a very interesting part of the project (kind of like Oregon Trail). I agree that steps 5,6, and 7 are a great addition. I would possible be more specific about what you'd want to see in their final presentation - multiple groups just talking about their trips might be sort of repetitive and boring for the rest of the class. Great job, though!