Ipad Project – Science
Part 1 – Year 9 Science – Dynamic Earth
The students learn about the structure of the Earth, the theory of Continental Drift, plate tectonics, Earthquakes, volcanoes & tsunamis
Lesson 1 – Earth structure
Students are introduced to Ipads and search Google for images of the layered structure of Earth, gathering information about the composition, thickness, and temperature of each layer.
They can combine this information and save to Dropbox or google documents etc.
Students open GE and scroll around, viewing the Earth for features that may indicate ‘cracks’ in the crust called tectonic plates.
They should look for significant mountain ranges, undersea ridges and trenches.
On a photocopied map of the world draw lines to represent where they think boundaries are – compare with neighbours
Lesson 2 - Continental Drift
Go to www.jacplus.com.au and navigate to Dynamic Earth topic and eLesson on continental drift. Students watch video and make notes of the super continents.
On GE, students add layer from:
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=13277&site_id=1
and watch what happens over time to Pangaea, Laurasia & Gondwana. *see NOTE below*
NOTE: Ipad cannot add kmz files as layers and they need to be saved into a google maps account first, unless they are opened up directly form a website. GE does not seem to be able to display and manipulate this file as a PC or Mac computer running full GE can.
It cannot measure distances, as this would be a useful process involving key skills, to measure the distance that India has moved over time compared with, for example, the separation of S.America & Africa.
Students can record a timeline for Continental Drift and, with improvements to GE, can measure changes with time.
Lesson 3 – Plate Tectonics
Students open GE and add layer from: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/virtualtour/kml/Earths_Tectonic_Plates.kmz (or similar – this page is incomplete when opened on Ipad GE). They can use the file to identify the type of boundary at different locations: S of Japan, W coast of S.America & N.America, Himalayas, Mid Atlantic.
Discuss what is occurring at each boundary, and then take notes on the 4 types of boundary, giving examples.
Lesson 4 – Earthquakes
Open GE and add layers* from USGS – select layers that show Mag 7 & 8 from 2011. Get students to identify patterns in the location of EQ. Historic data can also be collected from other key EQ.
Focus on one event and add layers with data, eg. Christchurch, Japan etc.
Formation, effects of EQ can then be discussed and taught.
Lesson 5 – Volcanoes
As above but with volcanoes – source layers from appropriate sites showing volcanoes this year or from history. Analyse patterns in location and identify anomalies (volcanoes over hot spots such as Hawaii). Discuss & teach formation, type and effects of volcanoes.
NOTE: these lessons can be interspersed with other lessons to cover content including videos from clickview.
The big issue with these plans is the inability of Ipad GE to be able to run kmz files, add layers independently, and measure distances.
