THE SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES OF THREE ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
7th-12th grade level
Bronita Jackson
Introduction | Task | Sources | Process | Guidance | Conclusion
THE INCAS THE MAYAS THE AZTECS
This activity is designed so that students may explore the origins and the fascinating scientific discoveries of these three ancient civilizations. This WebQuest will take the students on a journey back in time to explore the origins and way of life of the Incas, whose ancient territory includes much western South America today. The students will also discover the amazing discoveries of the ancient Mayas and their fascinating knowledge of nature and the cosmos. Finally the students will learn about the Aztec calendar and see why it is different from the one we use today.
The students will answer a series of questions related to each of the above mentioned civilizations. Each set of questions will provide a hyperlink to the website that contains the answer. This will provide an opportunity to learn more about each of these cultures. This task can be utilized for grades 7-12 to teach ancient Hispanic culture as well as investigate the scientific discoveries and ideas of these ancient civilizations.
1. Ruiz, J. (1997). The Incas: A pictorial tribute to their art and culture. Retrieved 01/26/2004, from http://www.theincas.com/index.html.
2.Crystal, E. (1995). Mayan astronomy. Retrieved 01/26/2004, from http://www.crystalinks.com/mayanastronomy.html.
3. Crystal, E. (1995). Aztec calendar-sun stone. Retrieved 01/26/2004, from http://www.crystalinks.com/aztecalendar.html.
The student will answer questions related to each of the ancient civilizations. Each set of questions will include a website to look for the answers.
a. the Rockies
b. the Andes
c. the Urals
2. What is the legacy of the Incas?
a. ancient mysticism
b. arts and crafts
c. gold and pottery
d. b. and c.
e. none of the above
3. What was the span of the Incas powerful empire?
a. from 22,000 B.C. to 1527 A.D.
b. 400 B.C. TO 440 A.D.
c. 20,000 B.C. to 1644 A.D.
1.The Maya believed the earth was flat with four corners. What animal of different colors supported the sky, according to the Mayas?
a. an elephant
b. a mountain lion
c. a jaguar
d. a bear
2. Archbishop Usher of Armagh concluded the creation of the world occurred at 4004B.C. How old is the cosmos according to the Mayas?
a. 10 billion years old
b. 90 million years old
c. 5 1/2 billion years old
d. 7 billion years old
3. The Mayan ball game was played in this manner:
a. using one's feet to pass the ball from player to player with a goalie for each team
b. using hips, hands, and the head to get a ball across a line or through a hoop
c. using hips, legs, and the head to get a ball across a line or through a hoop
d. passing the ball with the hands from player to player while dribbling, trying to make a basket
a. the four gods that hold up the cosmos
b. They believed that the world was destroyed and created four times.
c. the four lifetimes that a person has
2. What is the Quiauhtonatiuh epoch?
a. the time of Rain of Fire Sun
b. the time that this god was awake and reigning
c. the reign of this Aztec emperor.
Short answer:
3. How did man survive this epoch? Why was this belief justified?
REFLECTION
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to introduce the students to scientific discoveries of three ancient civilizations using the internet. The students will learn the history of the ancient civilizations.
Preceding and Ensuing Events: The student will have previously learned about the Incas, Mayas, and Aztecs. Before starting on the WebQuest, the teacher will give the students instruction on how to use the computers in the media lab. The next class will involve a quiz over the material presented in the WebQuest.
Debriefing: This project should help improve learning because it is fun and interesting to the students. It keeps the students focus on their work and give them experience on the Internet.
Improvement: This project could be improved by including more pictures. The project could be expanded by adding web games.
The students will search the indicated websites connected to the highlighted subject headings. They should answer the questions with at least 90% accuracy because the answers do not require investigation beyond the linked websites.
Answers:
The Incas
1. b
2. d
3.a
The Mayas
1.c
2.b
3.c
The Aztecs
1.b.
2.a.
Short answer:
3. Men were transformed into birds. This theory was justified by the discovery of numerous huts and skeletons under layers of lava and ash.