A Web Quest for 7th Grade Science

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits

Introduction

How does human activity alter Earth’s systems? As a famous environmentalist, you are concerned about the effects of natural disasters and human activity on Earth’s renewable, non-renewable, and inexhaustible resources. The President of the United States has requested you to investigate and analyze the impact of recent natural disasters and present your findings at a National Panel sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. The President is counting on the collaboration of all scientists to create a plan to prepare the human race for future natural disasters.

Task

• Use reference materials and the Internet to design a PowerPoint presentation of how a natural disaster/human activity impact Earth’s renewable, non-renewable and inexhaustible resources
• Define the natural disaster
• Give an example of when and where this event happened
• Analyze how the event affected the abiotic and biotic factors in the environment
• Determine the positive and negative impact of the event on renewable, non-renewable, and inexhaustible resources
• Determine potential solutions to the problem
• Present findings to National Panel

Process

To accomplish this lesson you must complete the following steps:

1. Work with your group. Be nice and patient J

2. Research/Task roles

ü Ecologist/ Leader – define the disaster, specific details of one example that has happened in the past–exact location, biome, date, facts death toll, effect on economy, recovery process, effects on types of resources, organize and turn in note cards, check all writing complete sentences

ü Biologist/Artist – research how disaster affects animal and plant life, create before and after foldable

ü Geologist/Poet – research how disaster affects land forms, what type of succession (primary or secondary) will occur after the event - explain why (erosion, weathering) write an original poem or edit poem on page 670 by erasing lines that describe non-renewable resources, add lines that show how conservation measures could restore the beauty of the environment after the natural disaster

ü Climatologist/Computer Guru – how disaster affects climate (wind, temperature, precipitation), locate 4 or more images to illustrate presentation, will save file in personal drive space and/or jump drive, designs power point with music and images/video

ü All scientists create a plan on how humans can handle future natural disasters (including before and after response systems, relief measures, economic and environmental recovery)

3. Each person does the research for their assigned role. Use the information folders and Internet resources provided.

4. Put notes on note cards. Put title, use complete sentences in bulleted format

5. PowerPoint slides will include:

ü Slide 1 Title slide with a creative title and names

ü Slides 2- 5 Ecologist note cards

ü Slides 6 -9 Biologist note cards

ü Slides 10 -11 Geologist note cards

ü Slides 12-15 Climatologist note cards

ü Slide 16- 19 Futuristic solution

ü Slide 20 Credits for information and photographs

ü Slide number may vary

ü Use a consistent background and font size of 32 or 36, consistent animation and transition

ü Add music from www.ifni.com

Resources

Facts On File

Digital Knowledge Central

Catastrophic Events

Hurricanes	Ecologist 1, 2, 3	Biologist 1, 2	Geologist 1, 2	Climatologist 1, 2
Tornadoes	Ecologist 1, 2, 3, 4	Biologist 1	Geologist 1	Climatologist 1, 2, 3
Earthquakes	Ecologist 1	Biologist 1, 2	Geologist 1	Climatologist 1
Landslides	Ecologist 1, 2, 3	Biologist 1	Geologist 1	Climatologist 1
Asteroid Impact	Ecologist 1, 2, 3	Biologist 1, 2	Geologist 1, 2	Climatologist 1
Tsunami	Ecologist 1, 2	Biologist 1, 2, 3	Geologist 1, 2	Climatologist 1, 2
Volcano	Ecologist 1, 2	Biologist 1, 2, 3, 4	Geologist 1, 2, 3	Climatologist 1, 2, 3
Forest Fire	Ecologist 1, 2, 3, 4, 5	Biologist 1, 2, 3	Geologist 1, 2	Climatologist 1, 2

Evaluation

CATEGORY	Exemplary 20	Accomplished 15	Developing     10	Beginning 5
Multimedia Design	Consistent background and font and word art More than 4 images that illustrate concept and do not distract Appropriate music Eye Appeal	Consistent background and font. 4 images that illustrate concept and don’t distract Appropriate music Eye appeal	Inconsistent background and or fonts 2 image Appropriate music Some eye appeal	Inconsistent background or fonts No images No music Little eye appeal
Notes	Notes are recorded and organized in an extremely neat and orderly fashion. Bulleted list with complete sentences	Notes are recorded legibly and are somewhat organized. Bulleted list with complete sentences	Notes are recorded but not in required format	Notes are recorded only with peer/teacher assistance and reminders.
Quality of Information	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes 8or more supporting details and/or examples for each topic	Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 6 supporting details and/or examples.	Information clearly relates to the main topic. 4 details and/or examples are given.	Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.
Oral Presentation	Both participate. Eye contact Voice inflection and confidence No fidgeting	Both participate Some eye contact Some voice inflection Some fidgeting	Only one participant Very little eye contact Very little voice inflection Lots of body motion and fidgeting	Not presented orally
Sources	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format.	All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format.	Some sources are not accurately documented.

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Conclusion

You should have successfully completed your challenge by now and should have a better understanding as to the types of natural disasters, their impact on the environment, and possible solutions to handling the before and aftermath.

Credits & References

Project designed by Mrs. Lundbeck and Ms. Reed

All information for this Web Quest has been taken from the web sites listed above.

Image from http://www.kinogid.ru/domkino/images/day_after_tomorrow16.jpg

Based on a template from The Web Quest Page

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