Extra Credit

Are you experiencing low or failing grades? 

Are the "Grade" police frequently visiting your room? 

Are you on restriction?

Extra credit may be what you need!

Extra credit is offered to help better a poor grade and to give you an opportunity to become better acquainted with the material we are currently studying.  Do not do a half... half... job, do your best work! 

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This project is worth 100 pts

(it’s not meant to be easy... after all its extra credit or better called... extra work!). 

Be sure to do your best work!  Your project should show that you have went

above and beyound what is being asked :)

Plate Tectonics and You!

Plate tectonics is a scientific theory. A scientific theory is a well-tested concept that is supported by experimental or observational evidence. It explains a wide range of observations. The theory of plate tectonics explains the formation, movement, and changes of the outer, rigid layer of the Earth, called the lithosphere. 

Challenge Scenario

A middle school teacher needs your help… the students feel that because plate tectonics is “just a theory” that scientist have “made it up,” there is no need for them to learn about it, or try to understand it. Also they believe it is totally irrelevant to their lives. Your job is to create an informational presentation to convince the students of the significance of plate tectonics in their lives. Your job is to explain the key concepts behind the theory of plate tectonics.

As you are preparing your challenge project, think about how your project can be use the theory of plate tectonics to help middle-school students to understand scientific theories. Your final presentation can be in the form of a poster, PowerPoint, or a web page format.

Project Expectations

• How the theory of plate tectonics developed (who first proposed the theory, was the theory excepted?, etc)
• How plate tectonic movement accounts for the features and processes that geoscientists observe the Earth (give examples of several different features created by plate movement)
• The nature of the Earth’s interior (include a diagram with descriptions)
• The flow of matter and energy in the Earth (include a diagram with an example)
• Evidence for movement and changes in the geosphere over time (discuss how plates have moved throughout geologic history, give examples and pictures or diagrams)
• Keep a bibliography of all sites used as a reference.
• Do not copy and paste information… rewrite into your own words – Plagiarism will receive an automatic zero.