OVERVIEW: Earth’s Geometry and Plate Tectonics
AUTHOR(S): Beilan Chang and John E. Berry
VITAL INFORMATION
Subjects:	Math and Earth Science
Grade/Level:	6-8
Time Required:	Two– 60 minute class periods
Objective(s):	The students will be able to: Explain who Alfred Wegener was and the importance of his discovery to the scientific understanding of how our planet works. Identify the different types of plate boundaries, their location on a world map, and what occurs at those boundaries. Use their understanding of plate boundaries and continental drift to explain how they relate to one another. Then write a theory for why the continents of the world are where they are today using clues and information about continental drift and plate tectonics. Plot the approximate location of Martinsburg, WV at various time periods in Earth’s history, in relationship to the Earth’s equator. Access VRML and 3-dimensional websites and manipulate through the sites. Use VRML program to create a simple 3-D image of a sphere and wrap a picture of earth around it. They will also be able to explore the change of circumference, area, volume, and surface area as the radius of the sphere changes. Given radius of the earth, students will be able to find the circumference, surface area and volume of the earth.
Summary:	This unit is designed to introduce and develop an understanding of how the theory development process works, utilizing information about the differences in plate boundaries and how they interplay with the theory of continental drift. Using computer technology to help students visualize the change of a sphere’s surface area, circumference, and volume as the radius doubles or triples will also be explored.
IMPLEMENTATION
Learning Activities:	Lesson 1 : Student Generated Theory: Plate Tectonics and “The Theory of Continental Drift” Lesson 2 : Geometry of Earth
Resources and Unit Handouts:	Glencoe, “Science Voyages” Textbook, Copyright 2000 PowerPoint Presentation Internet connection, Google search. A Science Odyssey – “You Try It : Plate Tectonics”, PBS @ http://pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/tectonics/# “Our Dynamic Earth” – Jill Childers and Tim Tennant, The Edventure Group @ http://www.theedventuregroup.org/citerawv/modules.htm VRML Models of Mariana Trench @ http://www.chlive.org/pbeck/eastlibrary/PLATETECTONICS.htm “Rock Cycle Animation” – Teachers’ Domain @ http://www.teachersdomain.org/sci/ess/earthsys/rockcyc/index.html Additional Websites for Pictures, JPEGS and Maps: (Used in PowerPoint, map activity, and in information packet handout) · http://www.dinosauria.com/dml/maps.htm · http://www.jurassiccoastline.com/Periods/LYSTROSAURUS.jpg · http://img.photobucket.com/v478/Dwaggie67/Dinosaurs/OMB%20Pics/Mesosaurus · http://www.abc.net.au/science/ozfossil/ageofreptiles/fauna/imghtml/labyrinthodont.htm · http://www.dms.wjusd.org/teachers/ksmith/pix/cool_science_images/evolution_life_history · http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/pics/01_2006/plant.jpg · http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Pangaea_continents.png
STANDARDS	WV CONTENT STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES: 7^th Grade Content Standards and Objectives (CSO’s) Standard 1: Nature of Science (SC.S.7.1) · Demonstrate an understanding of the history of science and the evolvement of scientific knowledge. · Demonstrate an understanding of science as a human endeavor encompassing the contributions of diverse cultures and scientists. · Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of a scientist. · Demonstrate skills of science inquiry. SC.O.7.1.01 Realize that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation and experiments. SC.O.7.1.02 Recognize science knowledge is subject to modification as new scientific information challenges current explanations. SC.O.7.1.04 Compare and contrast the historical significance of scientific discoveries. SC.O.7.1.05 Cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, design and conduct investigations to find answers and solve problems. SC.O.7.1.12 Use inferential reasoning to make logical conclusions from collected data. Standard 2: Content of Science (SC.S.7.2) · Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and applications of scientific facts, concepts, principles, theories and models as delineated in the objectives. SC.O.7.2.29 Describe rock formations (e.g., rock cycle). SC.O.7.2.31 Determine the relevant age of rock layers using index fossils and the law of superposition. SC.O.7.2.32 Explain how changing latitude affects climate. Standard 3: Application of Science (SC.S.7.3) · Explore the relationship between the parts and the whole system; construct a variety of useful models; examine changes that occur in an object or system. SC.O.7.3.01 Explore the relationship between the parts of a system to the whole. SC.O.7.3.02 Construct a variety of useful models of an object, event, or process. 8^th Grade Content Standards and Objectives (CSO’s) Standard 1: Nature of Science (SC.S.8.1) · Demonstrate an understanding of history and the nature of science as a human endeavor encompassing the contributions of diverse cultures and scientists. · Demonstrate the ability to use the inquiry process to solve problems. SC.O.8.1.01 Formulate scientific explanations based on historical observations and experimental evidence, accounting for variability in experimental results. Standard 2: Content of Science (SC.O.8.2) · Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of scientific facts, concepts, principals, theories and models as delineated in the objectives. SC.O.8.2.27 Identify and explain the principle forces of plate tectonics and related geographical events (e.g., earthquakes, volcanoes, or landforms. SC.O.8.2.29 Analyze the forces of tectonics, weathering and erosion that have shaped the Earth’s surface. Standard 3: Application of Science (SC.O.8.3) · Demonstrate the ability to use inquiry process to explore systems, models, and changes. SC.O.8.3.01 Synthesize concepts across various disciplines to better understand the natural world (e.g., form and function or change over time). M.O.8.4.1. Select and apply an appropriate method to solve, justify the method and the reasonableness of the solution of problems involving volume of spheres. USA - 21ST CENTURY LEARNING SKILLS & ICT LITERACY AREA: Learning and Innovation Skills · Creativity and information Skills · Critical Thinking and Problem Solving · Communication and Collaboration AREA: Information, Media and Technology Skills · Information Literacy · Media Literacy AREA: Life and Career Skills · Flexibility and Adaptability · Initiative and Self-Direction · Social and Cross-Cultural Skills · Productivity and Accountability · Leadership and Responsibility Standard 3: Geometry Through communication, representation, reasoning and proof, problem solving, and making connections within and beyond the field of mathematics, students will analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships, specify locations and describe spatial relationships using coordinate geometry and other representational systems, apply transformations and use symmetry to analyze mathematical situations, and solve problems using visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling. NATIONAL STANDARDS EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE CONTENT STANDARD D : As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of: · Structure of the Earth system · Earth’s history GUIDE TO THE CONTENT STANDARD: Fundamental concepts and principles that underlie this standard include: STRUCTURE OF THE EARTH SYSTEM · Lithospheric plates on the scale of continents and oceans constantly move at rates of centimeters per year in response to movements in the mantle. Major geological events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building, result from these plate motions. · Land forms are the result of a combination of constructive and destructive forces. Constructive forces include crustal deformation, volcanic eruption, and deposition of sediment, while destructive forces include earthquakes, weathering, and erosion. EARTH’S HISTORY · The Earth processes we see today, including erosion, movement of lithospheric plates, and changes in atmospheric composition, are similar to those that occurred in the past. Earth history is also influenced by occasional catastrophes, such as the impact of an asteroid or comet. · Fossils provide important evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed. SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES CONTENT STANDARD F : As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop understanding of: · Natural hazards GUIDE TO THE CONTENT STANDARD: Fundamental concepts and principles that underlie this standard include: NATURAL HAZARDS · Internal and external processes of the Earth system cause natural hazards, events that change or destroy human and wildlife habitats, damage property, and harm or kill humans and wildlife. Natural hazards include earthquakes, landslides, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, floods, and even possible impacts from asteroids or comets. NM-MEA 6-8.2 Use formulas to determine the circumference and area of circles. Use formula to determine the volume of spheres.