Plate Tectonics: Examining Evidence for Continental Drift
Student groups use specially designed and annotated puzzle pieces representing the earth’s continents to investigate the idea of continental drift. In Part I, an exploratory activity, students attempt to fit the puzzle pieces into one large continent using clues provided by the shape and the geologic evidence contained on each piece. In Part II students build upon their understanding by reading a selection of statements about continental drift and determining whether those statements are evidence or opinion. Students then decide whether or not the statements they determined to be evidence provide support for continental drift.
Details at a Glance
- 2-3 Days | 2-3 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 6 groups of 4 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- All materials are non-consumable
- Includes digital resources
- Developed in partnership with SEPUP
Scientific Concepts
•Creating models is one way to understand and communicate scientific information.
•The earth is over four billion years old and different events have occurred on earth during different periods of time.
•Fossils provide important evidence about how life and environmental conditions on the earth have changed over geological time.
•The continents are part of large lithospheric plates that have moved over geological time and continue to move at a rate of centimeters per year.
•Tracing the history of science demonstrates how individuals contributed to the development of modern scientific ideas, and reveals important interactions between science and society.
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis items
- Materials necessary for the investigation (beyond common classroom items)
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 8 World Puzzle, 7 piece set
- 8 Earth's surface Through Geological Time card
- Downloadable pdfs of student and teacher literature