Introduction
Have you ever noticed that the level of seawater changes throughout the day? Sometimes the water moves closer to the shore, while at other times it moves farther away. These changes are called ocean tides. In this WebQuest, you will become a Tide Investigator. You will explore reliable online resources to discover what causes tides and how the Moon and Sun affect the movement of ocean water.
Task
Your task is to investigate the causes of ocean tides and create a one-page infographic or digital poster about your findings.
Your output should include:
1. What ocean tides are
2. The difference between high tide and low tide
3. How the Moon affects tides
4. How the Sun affects tides
5. At least one interesting fact about ocean tides
Your goal is to explain the topic clearly enough that another Grade 8 learner can understand it.
Process
Follow these steps to complete your investigation:
Step 1: Read the information about tides from the websites provided in the Resources section.
Step 2: Find out what causes ocean tides and identify the role of the Moon.
Step 3: Investigate how the Sun also affects Earth's tides.
Step 4: Compare high tide and low tide. Write down at least one difference between them.
Step 5: Find one interesting fact about ocean tides that you did not know before.
Step 6: Organize your findings and create a one-page infographic or digital poster.
Step 7: Review your work. Make sure your information is accurate, complete, and easy to understand.
Step 8: Submit your completed infographic or digital poster.
Resources
- NOAA Ocean Service – What Are Tides?
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_tides/tides01_intro.html - NOAA Ocean Service – What Causes Tides?
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_tides/tides02_cause.html - NASA Space Place – What Are Tides?
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/tides/en/ - National Geographic Education – Tides
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/tides/
Evaluation
Your work will be graded using the following rubric:
| Criteria | 4 – Excellent | 3 – Good | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
| Accuracy | Information is accurate and complete | Mostly accurate | Some information is inaccurate | Many inaccuracies |
| Understanding | Clearly explains how tides occur | Explanation is mostly clear | Explanation needs more detail | Shows limited understanding |
| Use of Resources | Uses reliable resources effectively | Uses appropriate resources | Uses limited resources | Resources are not properly used |
| Organization & Design | Very clear, organized, and appealing | Clear and organized | Some parts are unclear | Difficult to follow |
| Completeness | Includes all required information | Missing one requirement | Missing several requirements | Output is incomplete |
Total: 20 points
Scoring Guide:
17–20: Excellent
13–16: Good
9–12: Developing
5–8: Beginning
Conclusion
You have completed your investigation as a Tide Investigator! Through this WebQuest, you discovered how the Moon and Sun influence ocean tides and learned the difference between high tide and low tide.
Before completing the activity, reflect on your learning by answering these questions:
1. What is the most interesting thing you learned about ocean tides?
2. How did the online resources help you understand the topic?
Your answers should be written in 2–3 sentences.
Credits
Created by: Maria Kristel Cae V. Pasiliao
Course: Technology for Teaching and Learning
School/Institution: Iqra Development Academy
Year: 2026
Teacher Page
Teacher Information
Subject: Science
Grade Level: Grade 8
Topic: Ocean Tides
Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes
Learning Area: Earth and Space Science
Learning Objective
At the end of the WebQuest, the learner should be able to explain how the Moon and Sun influence ocean tides and distinguish between high tide and low tide.
Teacher Preparation
Before starting the activity, the teacher should:
* Introduce the basic concept of ocean tides.
* Make sure the learner has access to the provided online resources.
* Explain the expected infographic or digital poster output.
* Remind the learner to use reliable sources and explain information in their own words.
Instructional Approach
This WebQuest uses an inquiry-based learning approach. The learner explores online resources, gathers information, compares ideas, and creates an output based on their findings.
Assessment
The learner's infographic or digital poster will be assessed using the 20-point rubric provided in the Evaluation section. The teacher may also use the reflection questions in the Conclusion to assess the learner's understanding of the activity.
Technology Needed
* Computer, tablet, or smartphone
* Internet connection
* Web browser
* Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint, or another digital design tool