Described here are three exemplary science webquests, selected by one of ENC's science content experts, that should provide both inspiration for creating your own quests and a source of valuable science content for use with your students. These quests have been added to the ENC Collection and you can click on the ENC numbers for complete information about each one. For more links to good science webquests, see the additional resources section of the article "Webquests for Science and Mathematics". This issue of ENC Focus also includes Exemplary Math Webquests.
Groups of students acting as forensic investigators solve one of six cases in this well-constructed webquest. Because each case requires its own set of forensic specialists, each student becomes an expert in a different area of forensics like genetics, entomology, or serology. Students are only permitted to see the evidence for their specialty after they have passed a competency test. Teachers will want to visit the teacher section before using this quest--the author provides loads of helpful suggestions there, including tips on accessing the evidence files by using special URLs and a reminder to notify parents about the graphic nature of the images. An interesting aside: the resourceful teacher who developed this quest enlisted the help of the media teacher and some students to shoot these crime scene photos! (Grades 9-12) ENC-028074
With a clever hook and clear guidelines, this webquest will have students gathering evidence, analyzing real data, and arriving at conclusions to solve a case that's been brought against the moon. Yes, in this quest, someone has filed charges against the moon--the crime: causing the tides! Students work in teams to build a case for or against the moon (and any accomplice the moon might have). After first using data to investigate tides in general and the different types of tides, students collect and analyze tide and moon phase data from three different locations to crack the case. They then summarize and present their findings using PowerPoint, HyperStudio, or a program for making web pages. Resources include links to data sources, hints and tips for working with the data, and a rubric. (Grades 7 and up) ENC-028075
In this quest, students work in groups to determine if the United States should use offshore wind farms as one of our energy sources. Within each group, students assume different roles to represent the government, the environment, the wind industry, and the average consumer/citizen. Clear instructions, useful links, and guiding questions frame each role and the webquest as a whole. Once each group forms a consensus response to the main question, they deliver a PowerPoint presentation to a public forum. Each student also writes a letter to Congress expressing the view of her group. Teachers might want to customize or expand the rubric and share it with students before they begin work on the task. (Grades 10-12) ENC-028076
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