Introduction
Have you wondered about the way things work and who created them? This webquest is an introduction to inventors and inventions and the research we will be completing in quarter four.
During this process, you will determine the invention you think is the most important and present an argument supporting your choice. This assignment includes reading, writing, research, science and/or social science and/or mathematics.
Task
In groups of two or three, you will research an inventor and his/her invention. Individually you will write a biography of the inventor, citing at least three sources. At least one source must be a book.
As a group, you will create a powerpoint presentation of at least 7 slides, including a graphic on at least five of the pages.
Process
Your research must include:
- the inventor and his/her personal background
- birthdate and location
- information about his/her childhood, adult life, and family
- education
- extra-curricular activities, if they influence the invention
- inspiration for and background information the invention
- when and where the invention was created
- purpose of the invention
- effect of the invention on society
- an argument on why this invention is the most important invention (We will continue to work on this in argumentative writing.)
Use the following links to assist you. More will be added as we work. Consult the librarian for more assistance.
Biography.com has a wide selection of biographies. Focus on your topic as you search.
Ducksters.com offers biographies for kids. They are short and easy to read. This is a good place to start if you know your inventor.
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/
We will continue to discuss websites that are credible as a part of our reserach skills.
Evaluation
There are two rubrics. This is how you are evaluated.
Research Report : Inventors and Inventions Webquest
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Organization | Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings. | Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs. | Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed. | The information appears to be disorganized. 8) |
| Amount of Information | All topics are addressed and all questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each. | All topics are addressed and most questions answered with at least 2 sentences about each. | All topics are addressed, and most questions answered with 1 sentence about each. | One or more topics were not addressed. |
| Quality of Information | Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples. | Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples. | Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. | Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic. |
| 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. |
| Paragraph Construction | All paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. | Most paragraphs include introductory sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence. | Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well. | Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs. |
PowerPoint Presentation
| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Presentation | Well-rehearsed with smooth delivery that holds audience attention. | Rehearsed with fairly smooth delivery that holds audience attention most of the time. | Delivery not smooth, but able to maintain interest of the audience most of the time. | Delivery not smooth and audience attention often lost. |
| Attractiveness | Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation. | Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation. | Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content. | Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentaion content. |
| Requirements | All requirements are met and exceeded. | All requirements are met. | One requirement was not completely met. | More than one requirement was not completely met. |
| Content | Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent. | Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Subject knowledge appears to be good. | Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors. | Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors. |
Conclusion
There are more inventions than we can research. Choose one that is important to you and make it important to us.
We will continue to develop our arguments through next quarter. The work you are doing is not final. We will continue developing our research, writing, and presentation skills.
I look forward to hearing your final argument.