Tectonic Plates | Research Project Template Digital + Print + HTML | FREE

Make learning about tectonic plates engaging, rigorous, and easy to implement with a structured research project template that helps students explore one of the most important ideas in Earth science through guided inquiry and independent thinking. Students build strong understanding of plate boundaries, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain formation, continental drift, seafloor spreading, and the forces that shape Earth’s surface by completing a one paragraph summary, a mathematics connection using data such as plate movement rates, earthquake magnitude, distance, scale, or map patterns, and an engineering or technological connection linked to seismology, GPS tracking, hazard monitoring, earthquake resistant buildings, and the tools scientists use to study plate motion.

A five term glossary strengthens essential geology vocabulary, while the inquiry section is easy to differentiate with three core challenging questions plus two optional sets of three additional questions, one more accessible for younger learners and one more advanced for older students, so the task can be adapted across middle and high school with ease. The creative item space adds engagement and student ownership without losing academic focus, and the included 20 point rubric makes self, peer, or teacher assessment clear and efficient.

With extra teacher guidance for smooth implementation and a helpful HTML file that provides clear primer material either as a stand alone resource or as support for the project, this tectonic plates research template is a valuable addition to geology, Earth science, natural hazards, Earth systems, and STEM classrooms.

This research project template provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can supplement lessons. It is an project template with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. It gives a rich and supportive framework that can be tweaked as needed for students to support differentiation.

Each research project template includes:

• Space for a one paragraph summary (that links to the 2 page science article also available on this topic - but does not have to).
• Students should produce a mathematical connection, an engineering / technology connection, 2 interesting facts / stats.
• 5 glossary terms they should fill in with their own words (which also links to the science article also available)
• 3 thought provoking questions (ie: critical thinking questions) they must answer.
• Finally, each template has 3 alternative thought provoking questions for younger students and 3 other alternative harder questions to extend high flying or older students. Giving you a total of 9 possible thought provoking questions that could be used with students to enhance their research and critical thinking.
• Further, I have added a 1 page - 20 point rubric to be used for either self-assessment or teacher assessment as you deem fit. I hope it helps support the learning even further!
• Upgraded to include a HTML file that has pages of information to start students off on their research project.

This template is some of my best work and I am proud to share it with you.

WHY / WHEN TO USE:

• Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
• To extend students
• To increase scientific literacy and research skills in your class
• Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast and you need a long running task
• To inspire students on a particular topic
• As a scaffold to support students who need support on research skills and can use a framework
• To enhance critical thinking when doing research and making a relevant and interesting output
• Give a selection of these research project templates for students to choose from
• To enhance students ability to express ideas and synthesis knowledge

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• 7 page Google doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page Google doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
• 7 page Word doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
• 7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
• 1 page 20 point rubric for self or teacher assessment in all three - Google doc, Word doc and PDF form
• Upgraded to include in a 10 page HTML file that has pages of information to start students off on their research project.

Please note: That the Doc versions are images with editable text boxes overlayed on top and this is the most effective way to keep the article sleek and well-designed and also that students cannot change things significantly.