Reasons for the Seasons WebQuest
You've Been Hired!!
An educational publishing company has hired YOU to produce posters for middle school science classrooms. Your first poster is to be one that shows the causes of seasons on Earth. Since many students have wrong ideas (misconceptions) about what causes seasons it is very important that your poster be very accurate. Your poster will answer the question "What causes the seasons?".
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Before you can start your poster, you must do some research on student ideas as well as the science behind the seasons.
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Before you can start your poster, you must do some research on student ideas as well as the science behind the seasons.
Part 1: Misconceptions about the Seasons
A misconception is an incorrect idea about something. Research the websites provided below to view common misconceptions students may have about the seasons.
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List four misconceptions in your notebook on page 98.
Skip lines between each one.
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List four misconceptions in your notebook on page 98.
Skip lines between each one.
- Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy - Misconceptions (read question & answer)
- Seasons Misconceptions (read Seasons Misconceptions paragraph)
- Common Misconceptions
- Some Common Misconceptions
- The Seasons
Misconceptions (complete sentences)
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PART 2: TILT OF THE EARTH
How does the Earth's tilt affect the seasons? Research the websites below.
On page 99, Draw 4 pictures showing how Earth's tilt affects each season.
On page 99, Draw 4 pictures showing how Earth's tilt affects each season.
Include the following on all 4 drawings: Earth, its tilt, the sun, name of the season.
- Earth's Tilt Is the Reason for the Seasons!
- Earth’s Revolution and Sun Angle
- Earth’s Tilt and the Seasons
- What Causes the Seasons?
- Seasons and the Tilt
- Seasons and the Tilt Interactive
- Why is the Earth Tilted? (podcast)
PART 3: THE SEASONS POSTER
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Now you are ready to make your poster!! The Earth is at four different points in its orbit around the Sun when we have each season. Where is the Earth when it is summer (or winter, fall, and spring)? Does the Earth tilt towards or away from the Sun? Draw a picture of the Earth revolving around the Sun throughout the year. Show the Earth at its location during winter, spring, summer, and fall/autumn. There are additional websites below to continue your research. Your paycheck will depend on how many accurate items are included in your poster.
You must Include the following on your poster to get your full paycheck:
- Title of poster ($2)
- Neatness & color ($2)
- Sun ($2)
- Earth in four different locations ($2)
- Labels for winter, spring, summer, and fall ($2)
- Tilt ($2)
- Color in day and night on all 4 Earths ($2)
- Short paragraph explaining the reason for the seasons ($2)
- PUT EVERYONE'S NAME ON BACK OF POSTER!!
