The Earth's Atmosphere - Key to Life on Earth
A WebQuest Created by:
Lon L. Eilders, II
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits/References
The atmosphere of the Earth makes it possible for everything on the planet to live. Without it, we would perish.
Create a poster of the Earth's atmosphere showing composition, layers, and significance of each layer.
Use the following websites to create your poster:
Exploration: Earth's Atmosphere
Structure and Composition of Earth's Atmosphere
Your poster should answer the following questions:
What is the origin of the atmosphere?
What is the composition of the present atmosphere?
What are the various layers of the atmosphere, describe them, what is their role in sustaining life?
How does the atmosphere help us survive?
Why are clouds important?
The following rubric will be used to evaluate posters:
Rubric (Word Document)
Rubric (PDF File)
Atmosphere Poster Rubric
|
Content |
Possible points |
Self Assessment |
Teacher Assessment |
|
Turned in on time |
5 |
|
|
|
Neat and attractive layout. |
5 |
|
|
|
Composition of planet- included |
10 |
|
|
|
Layers identified, described, and role given |
30 |
|
|
|
Origin described |
10 |
|
|
|
Answered how does the atmosphere help us survive |
10 |
|
|
|
Answered why clouds are important |
10 |
|
|
Total |
80 |
|
|
Now you see why the atmosphere is so important to each one of us.
Grade Band: 9-12 Earth Science
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Earth Science
2.2 explore energy transfer pathways.
3.3 analyze the hydrologic cycle.
3.4 interpret and assimilate data related to the atmospheric cycle.
3.6 evaluate the role of living organisms within the Earth system cycles.
4.2 investigate the evolution of Earth.
.4 demonstrate the effect of the environment on the formation and extinction of species.
Grade Band: 9-12 Geology
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Geology
4.2 investigate the evolution of Earth.
4.3 investigate the history of life.
4.5 demonstrate the effect of the environment in the formation and extinction of species through geologic time using fossils.
6.1 investigate the hydrosphere and its effect on various relationships to landforms.
Purpose: To encourage students to learn about the atmosphere of the Earth and why it is so important to life through the exciting use of the Internet. To encourage the presentation of data through poster.
Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX movie Blue Planet (42 minutes) which is available through slingshot. This should prompt student interest in the topics covered in this WebQuest. Ordering information at www.slingshotdvd.com
This WebQuest can prompt future interest of students in the field of geology and astronomy.
Teachers will need to procure geology and astronomy textbooks for reference.
Learning Improvements: Students will be allowed to do independent research which should lead to a move away from extrinsic rewards to greater intrinsic rewards. Learning will be reinforced when the students assemble and evaluate the research they have done.
Improvements and Expansions: This WebQuest can be expanded by investigating further the cycles of different gases that make up the atmosphere.
NASA. (1995). Exploration: earth's atmosphere. Retrieved on July 24, 2003, from http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/space/stmosphere.html
Northwestern State University. (2001). Science: out of this world -- earth's atmosphere. Retrieved on July 24, 2003, from http://www.spacesciencegroup.nsula.edu/sotw/newlessons/default.asp?theme=earthscience&pagename=atmosphere
Smithsonian Institute and Lockhead Corporation. (1990). Blue Planet [DVD]. Burbank, CA: Slingshot.
University of Florida. (n.d.). Structure and composition of earth's atmosphere. Retrieved on July 24, 2003, from http://ess.geology.ufl.edu/HTMLpages/ESS/GLY1033_notes/lectures1.html
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. (n.d.). The earth's atmosphere. Retrieved on July 24, 2003, from http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/earth/atmosphere.html