Reasons for the Seasons Poster Project
Introduction
Why do we have seasons? This WebQuest will help you understand the reasons for the seasons. Carefully complete each task. You will be surprised just how much you will learn.
Task
You have been hired by an educational publishing company to produce posters for middle school science classrooms. Each poster will illustrate reasons why we have seasons.
Since many students have the wrong idea about what causes seasons, it is very important that your posters be very accurate. Each poster will present different reasons why we have seasons.
After you have researched the information for your posters, you will make your posters.
Process
Misconceptions
Your first poster will identify misconceptions students have about the seasons. What are these misconceptions? Use the resources below to find common misconceptions students have about the reasons for the seasons.
Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy - Misconceptions
Once you have the information about the misconceptions, it’s time to learn the real reasons.
It’s the Tilt, Baby!
The real reason for the seasons is the tilt of the Earth. Go the websites below. Use the information you learn from the websites to explain the tilt of the Earth. You will need this information to make your second poster.
Earth's Tilt Is the Reason for the Seasons!
Seasons and the Tilt Interactive
Why is the Earth Tilted? (podcast)
Earth Location and Seasons
As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the tilt of the Earth affects the seasons. The direction of the tilt never changes. It is always pointing towards the North Star (Polaris). Using the information from the websites, you will make your third poster. Your third poster will show the location of the Earth at each season. Make sure the tilt is in the right direction!
Seasons Applet Using a Sundial
What’s Your Angle?
We have learned that the Earth’s tilt is responsible for the seasons. We have also learned how the position of the Earth as it goes around the Sun affects the seasons. The next question is, “How do the tilt and the Earth’s position affect the seasons?” Use the resources below to get the information you need to make your fourth poster.
What if?
What if the angle of Earth changed a few degrees? Such as 20 degrees or 26 degrees. How would this effect the seasons on earth?
Evaluation
You have been given a copy of the the rubric telling how your posters will be graded.
Conclusion
As you have researched the information required for the posters, you have learned about the reasons for the seasons. Your challenge is to remember this information and share it whenever someone does not understand the reasons for the seasons.
Adopted from Mr. Hills Webquests