Panel 6: WebQuest - Problem Solve

WebQuest - What it is?

A webquest is an inquiry activity that presents student groups with a challenging task, provides access to an abundance of online resources, and prompts higher order thinking. The products of the WebQuest are usually then put out "to the world" for some real feedback.

For the full 'treatment' of a webquest visit: http://wright.nasa.gov/webquest

Activity Description:

It's best to choose a topic in which aspects are under dispute or that at least offer a couple different perspectives. Current NASA events would work well. Also anything that requires evaluation or scientific hypothesizing will evoke a variety of interpretations.

HOW TO USE

Students benefit from being linked to a wide variety of Web resources so that they can explore and make sense of the issues involved in the challenge. Students begin by learning some common background knowledge, and then they divide into groups. Once divided into groups, each student or pair of students has a particular role, task or perspective to master. They effectively become experts on one aspect of a topic. When the roles come together, students must synthesize their learning by completing a summarizing act, such as e-mailing or presenting their interpretation to NASA experts on the topic.

A NASA WebQuest might be used as a first activity to quickly immerse students in real learning before filling in the broader picture with a NASA Treasure Hunt or Subject Sampler.

EXAMPLES:

Wind Tunnels (Grades 4-6)

Shakespeare called the atmosphere "airy nothing". He was right about many things, but wrong in this case! Air real and it can lift everything from the willowy 1903 Wright Flyer to today's largest jumbo jet. Explore online NASA wind tunnel datasets and answer questions about the four forces of flight.

Wing-Warping Controversy: The Great Debate (Grades 4-6)

The Wright patent was one of the most important ever issued by the United States, but some historians say it hindered the growth of aviation. Why? The key to Wright flight control was wing-warping; later inventors substituted ailerons, which are standard today. The Wrights felt their patent covered ailerons and sued all other airplane makers. Hold a "Great Debate" in your class to discuss the issue.

Smoke Tunnels

There have been discussions about what causes 'lift' on an airplane wing. Is it Bernoulli's Principle or the 'kite effect' (Newton's Law regarding action and reaction) or a combination of both? Or is it some new concept? Write a convincing document on the causes of lift on an airplane wing. Include some images, if possible.