Web Quest

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EXPLORING THE NEW FRONTIER

Introduction

We have just finished reading our unit on the European exploration of America in the 1400-1500s. In most instances, they had to use descriptions of what the items were like and not like based on the knowledge of their European readers. (Remember Castaneda's buffalo)
You have been assigned by NASA and at the request of President Renee Martinez to explore Jupiter. We have depleted our natural resources on earth and we are currently investigating alternative living spaces. Your mission is to travel to Jupiter and collect the necessary data to help determine whether or not Jupiter is an adaptable place to live.

Tasks

Students will be expected to write daily "emails" to President Martinez.
Students will be expected to work individually on their task.
Students will write a supply list based on their research of Jupiter.
Students will write a budget
Supply list and budget are due before you carry out your mission.
Students will present their findings to the committee when they return to earth.

Process

Research Jupiter before you go to determine the necessary supplies you need to take.
You will need to figure a budget for your journey
On your journey, you are to e-mail President Martinez once a day with daily updates on your discoveries. (Your mission will last approximately 2 weeks).
You are to describe what you see and don't see (compare your sightings to what earthlings know--look back at buffalo example).
Make a recommendation of the possibility of life on Jupiter.
All emails are due at the beginning of class.
Recommendation will be made in front of the class on May 10, 2001.

Resources

The following are web sites that you can find information concerning Jupiter:

Students may also consult books and encyclopedias from the library. However, time in class will not be given to library book searches.

Evaluation / Assessment

Students will be graded with the following rubric:

Category	Possible Points	Earned Points
Complete Supply list	30
Detailed Budget with Justifications	30
9 emails-- descriptions, comparisons, and comments on the journeys progress	45
Recommendation-- paper, speech	45, 50
Total	200

Conclusion

After this assignment is complete, students should accomplish several tasks.

Students should learn to examine information and create a supply list of needs based on research.
Students should use their math skills and rationalization to create a working budget and justify their expenses.
Students should understand the importance of communicating with sponsors and develop description skills needed to explain what they see on Jupiter.
Students will become more comfortable speaking in front of people through their presentation.
Students will make recommendations and be able to defend their positions to President Martinez

Advanced Technology Competencies for Teachers:

10.6 Locate, evaluate, and select appropriate teaching/learning resources and curriculum materials for the content area and target audience, including computer-based products, videotapes and discs, local experts, primary documents and artifacts, texts, reference books, literature, and other print sources--This goal is met by using primary documents and learning experiences for English 11 students

11.4 Use technology to facilitate teaching strategies specific to the discipline--This goal is met by using technology designed to help increase the students understanding of English and the process of analyzing

12.1 Develop performance tasks that require students to (a) locate and analyze information as well as draw conclusions and (b) use a variety of media to communicate results clearly--This goal is met because students must analyze and use media to complete this project

12.7 Select and create learning experiences that are appropriate for curriculum goals, relevant to learners, based upon principles of effective teaching and learning, incorporate the use of media and technology for teaching where appropriate, and support learner expression in a variety of media using a variety of media communication tools--This goal is met because the unit is designed to meet curriculum goals

North Carolina Computer Skills Curriculum:

3.1 Use word processing and/or desktop publishing for a variety of writing assignments/projects--This goal is met because students must type their findings and email them to the president

3.2 Use electronic resources for research--This goal is met because students must use the internet to discover Jupiter's atmosphere, temperature, and basic information before they can create a supply list, decide whether it is suitable for human life, etc.

3.3 Select and use technological tools for class assignments, projects, and presentations--This goal is met because students must use technology to complete this project

3.4 Adhere to Fair Use and Multimedia Copyright Guidelines, citing sources or copyrighted materials in papers, projects, and multimedia presentations--This goal is met because students must use copyright guidelines when writing their reports.

North Carolina Standard Course of Study:

3.03 Use argumentation for:

interpreting researched information effectively.
establishing and defending a point of view.
addressing concerns of the opposition.
using logical strategies (e.g., deductive and inductive reasoning, syllogisms, analogies) and sophisticated techniques (e.g., rhetorical devices, parallelism, irony, concrete images).
developing a sense of completion.

This goal is met because students must argue for their position for earthlings living on Jupiter.