Reasons for the Seasons WebQuest

You've Been Hired!!

An educational publishing company has hired YOU to produce a poster 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.

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. 

• Seasons Misconceptions (read Seasons Misconceptions paragraph)
• Common Misconceptions
• Some Common Misconceptions
• The Seasons

List four misconceptions in your notebook on page 104. 
Skip lines between each one. (complete sentences!!!)

1.

2.
3.
4.

PART 2:    TILT OF THE EARTH

How does the Earth's tilt affect the seasons? Research the websites below.
On Page 105, Draw 4 pictures showing how Earth's tilt affects each season. 

Show the following 4 things on ALL 4 drawings:

1. Earth
2. its tilt 
3. the sun
4. 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.

• Earth’s Appearance Different Times During the Year
• Seasons Interactive
• Seasons Interactive II
• Observe Seasonal Changes

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!!

Fine Print:  Your paycheck will be the paid in points added to your science average : )

This WebQuest is modified from WebQuests found at Science-Class.net and http://mrscienceut.net/SeasonsWebQuest.html.