Download Rubric: Plate Tectonics Model Project

Name:______________________________ Period:
2,
3,
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5,
7
Plate Tectonics Model Project
Purpose:
By creating a 3 –D model of plate tectonics, students will demonstrate an understanding of
topics related to the formation, movement, and subduction of Earth’s plates.
Enduring Understandings:
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Convection currents in the mantle are the major force that causes plate motion.
As plates move, they collide, pull apart, or slide past each other.
Changes in the Earth’s surface including volcanoes, mountain ranges, and deepocean trenches are caused by plate tectonics.
Directions:
1. Select two of the eight topics to study from the attached list. Each topic has 2
to 4 questions that must be researched and answered in a type-written
paragraph and displayed with your project.
2. Conference with your teacher to select one topic to study.
3. Selection due: ________.
4. Create a timeline which identifies the work to be done for this project and due
dates for each task. Timeline due:_________
5. Create a graphic organizer which includes the questions to be answered for your
topic. You will need to use at least three sources while researching your
project. Your sources must be stated on your graphic organizer. Graphic
Organizer due: _________
6. Projects should be made from found materials and will be recycled at the end of
the project. Project is due:_________
Topics of Study:
1. Continental Drift: Plate Motions Over Time
Collect and analyze information regarding the movement of the Earth’s plates over
time. Create a display to portray the history of the motion of Earth’s plates and
answers the following questions:
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Who was Alfred Wegener and how is he related to the theory of
continental drift?
What do matching mountain ranges in Africa and South America show,
according to Wegener’s hypothesis?
How would continental drift affect a continent’s climate?
Why was Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift rejected by
scientists during his lifetime?
2. Earth’s Ocean Floor
Create a 3-D model which shows the locations of Earth’s deep ocean trenches and midocean ridges and answers the following questions:
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How did scientists determine the location and size of the underwater
mountain chain?
What are these underwater mountains called?
3. Sea Floor Spreading
Create a 3-D model which demonstrates the process of sea-floor spreading and
answers the following questions:
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What is the history of the theory of sea-floor spreading?
What is the theory of sea-floor spreading?
Where on earth is the sea-floor spreading?
4. Evidence for Sea Floor Spreading
Create a display which shows the three-types of evidence supporting the theory of
sea-floor spreading and answers the following questions:
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What is the history of the theory of sea floor spreading?
How does sea-floor spreading help support the idea that continents
drift?
Why was sea-floor spreading not known during Wegener’s lifetime?
5. Subduction at Deep Ocean Trenches
Create a 3-D model which demonstrates the process of subduction at deep ocean
trenches and answers the following questions:
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What happens at subduction zones?
How is the sea-floor like a giant conveyor belt?
Which ocean is almost completely surrounded by trenches? Which has
very few trenches?
6. Divergent Plate Boundaries
Create a 3-D model which demonstrates divergent plate boundaries and answers the
following questions:
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What is a rift valley?
What will eventually happen if a rift valley continues to pull apart?
Where on earth are divergent boundaries located?
7. Convergent Plate Boundaries
Create a 3-D model which demonstrates convergent plate boundaries and answers the
following questions:
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What happens to continental crust when two continents collide?
What happens when a continental crust when it collides with an oceanic
crust?
Where on earth are convergent plate boundaries located?
8. Transform Plate Boundaries and Earthquakes
Create a 3-D model which demonstrates transform plate boundaries and answers the
following questions:
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What is a transform boundary?
Where on earth are transform boundaries located?
Where on earth have earthquakes historically occurred?
Why do earthquakes often occur along transform boundaries?
Name:__________________________ Period:
2
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Graphic Organizer: Plate Tectonics Model Project
Topic of Study:
Question 1:
Answer:
Question 2:
Answer:
Question 3:
Answer:
Question 4:
Answer:
Source 1:
Source 2:
Source 3:
5
7
Teacher Initial on Due Date:________
Name:__________________________ Period:
2
3
4
5
7
Timeline: Plate Tectonics Model Project
Use the space below to create a timeline which identifies the work to be done for
this project and due dates for each task. You may use a calendar as your timeline
or create your own timeline. Your timeline should plan what you will accomplish each
day to ensure that the project will be completed on time!!
Teacher initial on Due Date: ________
Plate Tectonics Model Project Period: ________
Student(s)
Topic
Timeline Graphic
Organizer
Project
Submitted
Project
Graded
Name:___________________________________ Period:
2
3
4
5
7
Rubric: Plate Tectonics Model Project
Timeline
Identifies the work to be done for the project
/10 pts
and due dates for each task
Graphic Organizer
Contains the topic questions, rough draft of
/12 pts
answers, and identifies sources of research
Research
Student used at least three sources of
/10 pts
information and the sources are cited properly.
Topic Questions
Topic questions are type-written, answered in
/18 pts
paragraph form, and displayed with the model.
Model
Explains the topic, contains topic questions and
/30 pts
answers, and is appropriately labeled.
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship is exceptional, excellent, very
/20 pts
good, needs improvement.
Project Score:
/100 pts