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11-12
Snow Science
Project type: Web Quest
Related topic:
Avalanche!
Avalanche!
Subjects
Geography
Science
Science
Summary
Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research the factors that contribute to avalanches and make a poster or a model that illustrates the anatomy of an avalanche.
Duration
3 lessons
Purpose
To identify the factors that contribute to avalanches
Materials
craft materials
Before Exploring
What began many years ago with simple observation is now a fascinating field of science. There are many physical forces at work (friction, mass, gravity, acceleration, force), geographical forces (terrain, slope, vegetation, weather) and snow science factors (snowflake shape, temperature) in an avalanche.
Outline the Opportunity
Students will research and analyze the factors that cause avalanches. They will then create a poster that shows the anatomy of an avalanche.
Revisit and Reflect
Gather students and have each group present its avalanche poster or model. Students should be able to explain the reasons for drawing or building their models the way they did.
Assessment Tip
Have students self-evaluate, considering how well they understand avalanches, whether they found valid information, and whether they organized, chose, and presented their information well. They can also consider the most interesting thing they learned and any additional information they would like to learn about the anatomy of an avalanche.
