Investigating Continental Margins: An Activity to Help Students Better Understand the Continental Margins of North America

Autor/inn/en	Poli, Maria-Serena; Capodivacca, Marco
Titel	Investigating Continental Margins: An Activity to Help Students Better Understand the Continental Margins of North America
Quelle	In: Science Teacher, 78 (2011) 9, S.48-51 (4 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0036-8555
Schlagwörter	Topography; Oceanography; Investigations; Earth Science; High Schools; Science Activities; Geology; Science Instruction; Computer Software; Databases; Scientific Concepts; Comprehension; Observation; Data Collection; Skills; Secondary School Science; Teaching Methods; Mexico; North America + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Topografie; Ozeanografie; Untersuchung; Earth sciences; Geowissenschaften; High school; Oberschule; Historische Geologie; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Datenbank; Verstehen; Verständnis; Beobachtung; Data capture; Datensammlung; Skill; Fertigkeit; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Mexiko; Nordamerika
Abstract	Continental margins are an important part of the ocean floor. They separate the land above sea level from the deep ocean basins below and occupy about 11% of Earth's surface. They are also economically important, as they harbor both mineral resources and some of the most valuable fisheries in the world. In this article students investigate North America's continental margins using GeoMapApp, a free global topography database. Each student investigates continental margins along the East, West, and Gulf Coasts, determines the nature of these margins, and identifies common morphologic features. Their direct involvement in the collection and interpretation of data encourages conceptual understanding, rather than the simple memorization of facts. The activity focuses on the Blake Plateau and Gulf of Mexico--two areas not typically discussed in textbooks--allowing students to make new, individual observations and collect and organize information. These skills will help them in both science and nonscience classes and in their future careers. This activity is best suited for high school Earth science, geology, oceanography, and environmental science courses. (Contains 2 figures and 11 online resources.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10