Introduction
Heritage Excavators have made an invention with the capability of drilling all the way to the center of the earth! This mini tank can withstand all the heat, pressure, and rocks within the earth and also has the cabability of digging both horizontally and vertically. You will have the opportunity to visit every layer of the earth and tell the world about what you have discovered.
Task
For this project, you will investigate each layer and answer some questions about each layer. The format of the written part of the project will be in journal form. You will write about your trip as though you are telling about a family vacation, with a few more details.
Have fun with your journey!!
Here is some information you should include for each layer:
1. How thick is each layer?
2. What is the temperature of each layer, both at the top and bottom of the layers?
3. What is the density of each layer, compared with the layer before?
4. What materials make up each layer?
5. What state of matter(s) is each layer?
6. Include on interesting fact about each layer.
For this assignment, you will be turning in a journal about the four main interior layers of the earth, although some layers have minor layers within. You will also be required to make a scale drawing of the earth itself, showing each layer. You will receive extra points if you choose to make a physical model of the earth instead of the drawing. The drawing or model should be colored, and have information on temperature, depth, and composition. Be as detailed and neat as possible.
Process
PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET READY TO GO!!
1. Provided below are some links to get you started with your investigation. You may have to look beyond the links provided but they will give you valuable information on each layer.
2. Take down information on each layer. Be sure to look for the minor layers (continental and oceanic crust, lithosphere, and asthenosphere). This can be done in your notebooks or using a laptop with Google Docs.
3. Remember to make your journey in a logical way. Don't jump around the layers without a good reason to do so.
4. Organize all of your information and put it together into well-written journal entries. These entries must use proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization and use complete sentences. Of course, you need proper information on the layers.
5. After you've written your journal, share you journal with the two classmates who are before and after you in the alphabet.
6. Each student will be responsible for suggesting edits on two classmates journals. Suggestions need to be made by the due date for suggestions.
7. Make final changes to your journal and be prepared to turn in the journal electronically through Google Classroom.
8. Remember to work on your drawing or model throughout the process.
9. Turn in assignments on the assigned due date.
Crust
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crust_(geology)
http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/crust/
Mantle
http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/mantle/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantle_(geology)
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/interior/earths_crust.html
Outer Core
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_core
http://www.dkfindout.com/us/earth/structure-earth/outer-core/
http://gamediv1.weebly.com/outer-core.html
Inner Core
Evaluation
| Exemplary (3) | Adequate (2) | Poor (1) | Score | |
| Crust |
All of the questions are answered completely. The lithosphere is mentioned and expalined well in this section. |
Most of the questions are answered completely and the lithosphere is mentioned adequately. | Questions were left unanswered. | |
| Mantle | All the questions were answered completely and the asthenosphere was explained fully. | Most the questions were answered completely and the asthenosphere was explained. | Questions were left unanswered | |
| Outer Core | All the questions were answered completely. | Most the questions were answered completely | Questions were left unanswered | |
| Inner Core | All the questions were answered completely. | Most the questions were answered completely | Questions were left unanswered | |
| Grammar | The journal showed that grammar was done well and that proofreading had taken place. There are less than 5 errors. | The journal showed that grammar was done well and that proofreading had taken place. There are between 5 and 10 errors. | Proofreading was lacking and there were multiple grammar mistakes. | |
|
Model or Drawing |
Model or drawing was complete with all the information required. | Model contained most of the information required. | Model was lacking much of the required material. |
Conclusion
You have now made it to the center of the earth and back again. You have discovered information about the crust, mantle, and the core and have made a model to show the world.
What are some reasons that you think it matters what's inside the earth? Does it really matter?
Great job!!
Credits
This webquest was created by Matt Kuiper to meet the needs of my classroom and to help my students learn about the center of the earth.