Task 2: Cracking up! Plate Tectonics Race

Context:
This is Task 2 (Lesson 2) of four tasks (lessons) of an overall project of “Escaping 7th Grade Science Room”
This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours
*You may shorten each lesson/task to have the “Escape Room” one day/period.
Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
An emphasis on plate tectonics and continental movement
Facilitate student reflection on that millions of years ago the continents were joined together in one supercontinent called Pangaea.
Using some of the same evidence that scientists use, they will reconstruct this supercontinent
List of Materials:

Pangea pieces in an envelope per group (included – Slide 13)
PangeaPuzzle.1.docx

Pangea puzzle and organizer per group (included – Slide )
PangeaPuzzle.2.docx
PangeaPuzzle.3.docx
PangePuzzle.Answer.docx


Task Card per group (included – Slide 14)
PangeaPuzzleTaskCard.docx

Scissors per group

Glue per group

Colored pencils/markers

Discuss that this is “Task 2” of the “Escape 7th Grade Science Room.”
Review the phenomena of plate tectonics and the reformation of continents and land, including the historical significance of Pangea and how rock and fossil types shaped different continents, including continental shelves, and the locations of ocean structures (such as ridges, fracture zones, and trenches).
Reconstruct the position of large island and continents as they appeared 220 million years ago using logic an evidence.
Complete Task Card to explain Pangea as well as using evidence (symbols) on the continents and islands to reconstruct Pangaea, the supercontinent. Using the globe or world map as a reference, discuss with students in what general area the continents should be positioned.
Turn in Task Card for teacher approval and to move on to next Escape Room Task/Lesson.