Volcano Venture

A Volcano in My Town?

Scientific Investigation of Volcanism

A WebQuest for 6th and 7th  Grade Science-Math-Technology

 

Designed by  
Linda Watters
Canfield Village Middle School  
Canfield, Ohio  
Canf_lsw@access-k12.org

Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion

Introduction

 Just about every life form, everywhere in the universe has experienced the effects of  natural disasters and catastrophes. From torrential rains to volcanic eruptions, from atmospheric  phenomena, to changes on land,  below the deep blue sea, and even changes in space, natural disasters and catastrophes are inevitable and effect our lives.

Volcanism can be catastrophic or beneficial.  Volcanic eruptions vary in nature and degree of explosiveness. Scientists that study volcanoes have found that they provide important information on the workings of the earth’s interior.  Many areas in the world have been and are being affected by volcanic activity. You have been selected to be a part of a “Volcano Venture Team”.  What if a volcano was brewing in your town.  You will consider the before, during and after of your town and how it is affected by a volcano.

      As individual members of the “Volcano Venture Team” you will study volcanoes through the eyes of a law enforcement officer, EMT, Red Cross Worker, doctor, a geological scientist, climatologist, NASA scientist, government liaison, resident of a Volcano town, conservationist and environmentalist, news reporter, farmer(food provider)  etc. and find solutions to the problems associated with volcanic activity and eruptions in relation to your town. You can also investigate the benefits of volcanic activity as well. 

The Task

·        As individual members of the “Volcano Venture Team” you will investigate volcanoes through the eyes of a law enforcement officer, EMT, Red Cross Worker, doctor, a geological scientist, climatologist, NASA scientist, government liaison, resident  your Volcano town, conservationist and environmentalist, news reporter, farmer/food producer. You will each have roles. 

·        You will research an assigned issue and complete an activity and/or product that is related to the effects of volcanic activity and eruptions in your community or town. You will work to consider the possibility of a volcano occurring in or very near your town.  You will investigate the effects of a volcanoes on life forms, resources and the quality of human life in your town in order to find solutions to problems and benefits from volcanic activity and eruptions.

·        As a “Volcano Venture Team” you will come together to present information to citizens of your town. 

To accomplish the assignment, the team will complete the following:

·        Slide show presentation

·        Poster

·        Graphic aid

·        Topographical map and directional map

·        Brochures

·        Experiment and/or demonstration.

·        Artwork depicting your town after a volcano.

·        Speech – oral presentation.

·        Each team will keep a journal of all their activities,  findings and resources used.

·        Talk show script - skit

The Process

·        You will be divided into groups of 7-9. Each group will be assigned one or two roles on the “Volcano Venture Team”.  You will be the expert on your task(s) and your group is counting on you to present clear information on the task(s) you are doing.

·        Team members should read the assignment carefully.

·        Team members will meet with the entire “Volcano Venture Team” to graphically outline how they will gather all information, complete tasks and produce products.

·        Individual team members will check out a variety of resources; research links, download information, magazines and books that they might need to complete their tasks and produce their products.

·        Individual members will become knowledgeable about volcanoes in general.

·        After sufficient research time a design for completing the task(s) and the product(s) will be planned and sketched.

·        Team members will design their product(s), check for spelling and accuracy, have another team member review their product and practice the presentation of their product.

·        Each team will keep a journal, using a 3 prong, two pocket folder that will hold loose leaf paper. Include information on individual and team activities,  findings and resources used. Remember to cite your sources in your journal.

HINTS

·        Visuals, overheads, charts, posters should be neat, simple and legible.  Plan before you produce and finalize your task and product.

·        Organize your information with a graphic outline; web, concept map or flow chart.

·        Record notes about general Volcano information for reference.

·        Share information that may assist another team member.

·        Remember to cite your sources in your journal.

Scientists:  

·        Geologist #1 – you will create a slide show presentation on what is happening to the earth  before, during and after a volcano and the possibility of a volcano occurring in your town. You will prepare one experiment/demonstration showing some aspect of volcanism. (Coordinate with Geologist #2 and Volcanologist).See resource list and www.jasonproject.org  - See Investigation 3.1:  Volcanoes – A Look Inside and  Investigation 4.1 Volcanoes and Lava:  Monitoring from Many Angles.

·        Geologist #2 – you will create a brochure of volcano facts, problems and solutions  about a volcano and indentify those facts, problems and solutions that might be specific for your town.  You will  prepare one experiment/demonstration emphasizing a volcano fact(s). (Coordinate with Geologist #1 and Volcanologist).  See resource list and

www.jasonproject.org  - See Investigation 3.1:  Volcanoes – A Look Inside and  Investigation 4.1 Volcanoes and Lava:  Monitoring from Many Angles.

·        Volcanologist – you will design an experiment that will demonstrate what is happening to the earth during volcanic activity or an eruption. (Coordinate with Geologist #1 and Geologist #2). See resource list and

www.jasonproject.org  - See Investigation 4.3:  Beneath Hawai’i’s Waves

·        Biologist – you will create a slide show presentation showing the effects on 3 different life forms as a result of volcanic activity and compare to 3 life forms in your town. You will create one interactive activity that will show an effect on a life form.  See resource list and

www.jasonproject.org  - See Investigation 4.2 Lava Tubes: Those amazing Mazes and Unit 5 Ecological Restoration in Hawai’i

·        Oceanographer-will create a slide show presentation on what is happening underwater before, during and after a volcano.  See resource list and

www.jasonproject.org  - See Investigation 4.2 Lava Tubes: Those amazing Mazes.

·        NASA Scientist – will create a chart comparing the volcano of their town with a volcano on the planet MARS.

Government liaison:

·        Mayor – you will prepare a 3 speeches – oral presentation addressing your townspeople before during and after a volcano in your town.

Law Enforcement Officer: 

·        You are to create a slide show presentation depicting the effects of volcanic activity on the people of your community or town.  This presentation would be similar to a human interest story. A human interest story is one that tells about humans and is interesting. These stories tell about the plight of some person (and in some cases, animals). Your presentation should make the reader feel some emotion about the people involved in the story. The audience might feel sad, happy, fearful, entertained, etc.  Be creative, use the web, use pictures and personal reflection to compile a slide show presentation. Weave the information into your presentation in a way  that will cause an emotional reaction.

Emergency Response Worker:

·        You will choose an Emergency Response worker and consider their role in your town.  Locate a directional map for your town and devise an escape plan in the event of a volcano.  You will have to choose a site for the volcano and and plan your escape plan accordingly.  Research and consider Volcano facts and lava flow patterns for your volcano.

Resident of a Volcano community or town:

·        You will create a “work of art” depicting how your town will look after a volcano.

Conservationist:  

·        You will research and investigate your local watershed and compare it to a major watershed and present your findings in a poster.

Some Resources you could use to find information are:

www.jasonproject.org  See Investigation 2.1:  Watersheds – Units of Biodiversity

Environmentalist:

·        You are a member of a grass roots organization who oversees the quality of the environment in your town. You will look at the problems and benefits of volcanoes. Statements should be based on facts learned in your research.  You will also answer the question of  what intervention should be appropriate to protect the environment in the event of a major volcano.

Healthcare Professsional:

You will choose a Healthcare Professional and consider some aspect of their job in the event of a volcano.

News reporter:

·        You are to write and produce a news article or newscast about the volcanic activity in your town or community. A news article is one that tells the facts of a story. Your opinion is NOT included in this type of article. The first sentence should be a "grabber," that is, one that will get the attention of the audience. You write a news article by giving the main facts of the story in the one of the beginning sentences.

Farmer/food producer:

·        You will consider the effects of a volcano on the food supply of a town that has been effected by a volcano. Consider how a volcano would effect the food supply in your town and what should be done to preserve the food supplies in the event of a volcano. Present your findings in a talk show format.  Write a script and include other team members in your script.  Your teacher will play the role of the talk show host.

Resources:

·        JASON XII – Hawai’i, A Living Laboratory: www.jasonproject.org   

·        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: www.noaa.gov

·        National Underseas Research Project: http://www.nurp.noaa.gov/

·        NASA: www.nasa.gov

·        NASA Education: http://education.nasa.gov/ 

·        NOAA Marine Biology and Geophysics:  www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/mggd.html

·        Savage Earth:  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth

·        Volcanoes: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageearth/volcanoes/index.html

·        Volcano watch: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/

·        Volcanoes and Earthquakes Hotlist  http://wneo.org/hotlists/science/volcanoes.htm 

·        Water Resources of the U.S.: http://water.usgs.gov

Evaluation

Group grade

·        Your team will be given a group grade on your project from 0 to 100 points. Your total score will then be multiplied by the number of people in your group. Your group can then divide the total score in whatever you would like. For example, your group of 8 people gets 90% for the total project. This will be multiplied by 8 for a total of 720 points. You could give each person 90 points or you could give one person that worked really hard 100 point and the other members a different amount. You can divide your 720 points in any way your group would like so long as the total is 720 points. There must be consensus among the group members.

Individual grade: you will also receive an individual grade based on the quality of your product(s) and presentation(s).

Overall content of your presentation, experiment and/or demonstration. =30 points
 Follows directions  =20 points
Research information and journal entries. (includes citing your resources)  =20 points
Design clarity. (includes neatness)  =10 points
Design creativity.    =10 points
Group participation. =10 points
Effective use of  time, discussion, cooperation. =10 points
Up to 10 Bonus points can be earned for additional articles, cartoons, drawings, or other things that would enhance your role, product and presentation.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed a challenging adventure. Think about what you might do with the information you have gathered…

Think about…