Science Skills Station Objective 1. Model the motion of tectonic plates at plate boundaries. 2. Compare and contrast convergent, divergent and transform plate boundaries. 3. Compare and contrast a convergent plate between oceanic plates, continental plates and an oceanic and continental plate. Skills Utilized Make observations Infer and/or Predict Compare and contrast Model a concept Illustrate a concept Overview Tectonic plates are large slabs of Earth s lithosphere. They move or slide over the asthenosphere the top part of the mantle. Earth s core unevenly heats the asthenosphere. This uneven heating causes the tectonic plates to move. Tectonic plates can move towards each other, move away from each other or slide past each other. Divergent Boundary Plates moving away from each other Convergent Boundary Plates moving towards each other Transform Boundary Plates sliding past each other When plates move away from each other, new lithosphere is created. When plates move towards each other, lithosphere is destroyed. When plates slide past each other, they grind, which creates disturbances such as earthquakes. At this station, you will study tectonic plate motion. You will model how the motion of tectonic plates and how the composition of tectonic plates impact what occurs at a plate. 7
Narrative Station Objective 1. Compare and contrast a transform, convergent and divergent plate. 2. Compare and contrast how Earth s surface changes at each type of plate. Skills Utilized Answer questions relating to a text Cite textual evidence Define key terms Summarize information Make connections Analyze data in an illustration Activity #1 Directions: Use a computer or tablet to access and watch the following 4 1/2-minute video about tectonic plates: http://bit.ly/2lowsb8. Then answer the questions. Questions: 1. According to the video, how fast do tectonic plates move? 2. What is the difference between the lithosphere and asthenosphere? 3. What kind of crust covers a tectonic plate? 4. What causes tectonic plates to move? 5. Define and give an example of each type of tectonic plate : a. Divergent b. Convergent c. Transform Important Note: We often define a tectonic plate by the crust that covers it. For example, we call a tectonic plate covered with oceanic crust an oceanic plate. Some tectonic plates are covered by more than one type of crust. To simplify, we will refer to the portion of the plate studied as oceanic or continental, based on the crust that covers that portion. 10
Narrative Station cont. Activity #2 Directions: Read the informational text. Then answer the questions TECTONIC PLATE BOUNDARIES The type of movement that occurs at the between tectonic plates determines the type of plate that exists between them. There are three types of plate boundaries: convergent, divergent and transform. Two tectonic plates move towards each other at a convergent. This is also called a destructive plate because one plate is slowly destroyed at the. At a convergent, the denser plate subducts or moves below the less dense plate. It melts and becomes part of the mantle. There are three types of convergent plate boundaries: oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental and continentalcontinental. The graphics summarize what occurs at each type of convergent. Oceanic-Oceanic Oceanic-Continental Continental-Continental Two tectonic plates move away from each other at a divergent. This is also called a constructive because new crust or lithosphere is created at the. As the plate move apart, molten rock from within Earth moves upward and fills the space between the plates. The molten rock cools and forms new crust. Two tectonic plates slide past each other at a transform. This is also called a conservative plate because crust is neither created nor destroyed at this. Transform boundaries are often found between two convergent, two divergent or a convergent and divergent. Questions: 1. Compare and contrast the three types of tectonic plate boundaries. 2. Why is density important to a convergent plate? 3. According to the graphics of the convergent plate boundaries, is a tectonic plate covered with oceanic or continental crust denser? Explain. 4. Compare how Earth s surface changes at a convergent and divergent. 5. How does Earth s surface change at a transform? 11
Assessment Station Objective Recall concepts, terms and ideas relating to tectonic plate boundaries. Skills Utilized Define key terms Summarize a concept Determine relationship Compare and contrast Prioritize information Critique (a statement) Make predictions Design an experiment Assessment Direction 1. Answer the following questions. Write down your answers on the recording sheet. 2. There are two bonus questions. If time allows, try to answer these questions. 12
Question #1 Match each plate with its synonymous name: Question #2 What type of plate is shown in each illustration? A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform 1. Conservative 2. Constructive 3. Destructive A. B. C. Question #3 Compare and contrast how Earth s surface changes differently at a convergent, divergent and transform plate. Question #4 What happens when an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate? Explain.
Question #5 Would Earth s surface look different if tectonic plates did NOT move? What if tectonic plates moved five times faster than they do today? Justify your answer. Question #6 Design an experiment that investigates the rate at which tectonic plates move. Identify the resources you would need and the measurements you would make. Then discuss the ability to conduct this investigation in the classroom. BONUS Question #7 A student argues that tectonic plate motion can cause rapid changes to Earth s surface. He states that tectonic plate motion can cause earthquakes, which in turn cause landslides and landslides cause rapid changes to Earth s surface. Evaluate this student s claim. Do you agree with him? Justify your answer. BONUS Question #8 Tectonic plate motion and the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition cause slow changes to Earth s surface. Which set of processes would be most responsible for local changes to Earth s surface? Which set would be most responsible for global changes to Earth s surface?
Problem Solving Station Objective Develop a model that summarizes the forces and factors that cause Mount Everest to be the highest peak on Earth. Skills Utilized Develop a model Overview The Himalayas are located along the Northern border of India, separating the Indian subcontinent and central Asia. The Himalayas include the highest peaks on Earth s surface, include Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth. To learn about why Mount Everest is so tall, watch a five-minute video: http://bit.ly/2mkjbxc. While watching the video, take note of the forces and factors that shape Mount Everest. Directions: Design a model (a sketch or physical representation) that summarize the geoscience processes that shape Mount Everest. The model should consider: The forces that cause uplift The factors that erode the mountain The unique features that lead to the formation of Mount Everest s high peak Answer the questions below when finished with the model. Questions: 1. What factors and/or processes oppose the uplift that created Mount Everest? 2. How might the height of Mount Everest change if the forces of erosion were stronger? 3. How does climate play a role in shaping Mount Everest? 4. How might Mount Everest change in 100 million years from now? 15
Plate Boundary Landforms Lab Recording Sheet Narrative Station Activity #1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. a. b. c. Activity #2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 21
Plate Boundary Landforms Lab Recording Sheet Assessment Station 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. BONUS QUESTIONS 7. 8. 22
Plate Boundary Landforms Lab Recording Sheet Problem-Solving Station Develop a model that summarize the geoscience processes that shape Mount Everest. Questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 23