Bozeman Science Video - Asking Questions and Defining Problems

• Think about a question or a problem that you have about the process of erosion.

• How could you find more information or learn more about it?

First, as an introduction, watch this video. Look and listen for examples of cause and effect in the video.

Try to reconstruct Pangea in this interactive.

Now that you have an idea about Pangea, use this interactive to reconstruct Pangea using the fossil record.

Finally, explore this interactive which shows continental drift from Pangea to the present, and into the future.

Learn about plate tectonics and see a plate boundary close up in this video. As you listen and look, keep a list of the questions you think of.

Next, watch this video about mountains growing in Alaska. These mountains are getting higher due to plate movement! Look and listen for examples of cause and effect in the video.

Now take a look for yourself.

• On this interactive click “plates,” then “plate boundaries,” then “plate names.” Use the zoom feature to see if you can find Oregon. What do you notice about our location? What questions do you have?

• On this interactive, explore the plate boundaries, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Use the zoom feature to see if you can find Oregon. What do you notice about our location? What questions do you have?

Optional:

• Watch this video about Alfred Wegener, who developed the idea of continental drift, which is the concept founding plate tectonics.

Watch this video to learn about seafloor spreading at plate boundaries on the ocean floor.

Share what you learned about this week.

Optional: Use this Graphic Organizer to help you ask questions or define problems about what happens beneath earth's surface that you might investigate on your own.

Ideas for optional independent investigations:

• Work through This Dynamic Earth from USGS to learn more on plate tectonics.

• Explore The Earth in Action or Discover Our Earth.

• Watch this video about Wegener’s life as a scientist and the nature of science.

Materials: piece of paper and something to write with, an egg carton, paper bag, or plastic container, glue

Challenge #1: Backyard field trip- Use your Senses

Take your paper and pen/pencil outside and find a place to sit quietly for 10 minutes. Spend time writing or drawing what you hear, see, feel, and smell. Then think about these questions: what have you learned about your special place that you didn't know before? Was there anything you expected to hear, smell, or see that you didn't?

Challenge #2: Scavenger Hunt

Find and collect the following items and then create a picture or collage with your items

• Something fuzzy and something rough

• Something straight and something round

• Two kinds of seeds and two pieces of man-made litter

• Two different types of leaves and something green

• Something that makes noise

• A cone, a stick, and a beautiful rock

• Other items of your choice!