A MiniQuest is an online curriculum module which engage students in learning about an authentic topic or problem. MiniQuests are 1-2 days in duration and involve a structured investigative approach that guide students through a unique set of Web resources with the specific purpose of answering some question. The WebQuest itself provides structure to the investigation of the authentic topic, thereby increasing the ability of students to successfully navigate a highly unstructured environment such as the Internet. MiniQuests can be used at the beginning, middle, or at the end of a curriculum unit.
Sean is Sarah's 14 year-old brother. He has been working at a new job helping to clean the school during the summer. He is working very hard moving and cleaning desks, washing windows, and delivering boxes. Each day, Sean and his co-worker Mike go to a fast food restaurant for breakfast and lunch. One day, Sean told his mom that he seemed to be gaining weight even though he is working very hard. Why is Sean gaining weight? How can he eat more wisely?
You work in the public relations
department of the county environmental office. The state has been
told by the federal government that emissions causing acid
rain must be drastically reduced. Unpopular new regulations restricting
driving will soon go into effect. Citizens are complaining loudly.
Editorials have
appeared in the newspapers arguing that acidification is not a
problem in the lakes and rivers of our area. You are responsible
for developing an educational
poster to convince the public of the need for these restrictions.
You and your sister decide you need to learn more about using electricity more responsibly. Mom suggests you use the Internet to learn where electricity comes from, the pollutants it produces, and the ways you can conserve electricity. And, if you can lower your electric bill next month, you can watch television again!
You and your family are driving home from California. On the way, your parents take you to the Hoover Dam in Nevada. At the dam you take a short tour and learn how the dam produces electricity. After the tour, you ask your parents if the electrcity in your home comes from a dam. Your dad asks if you think different areas of the United States use different sources for their electricity. You think this is an excellent question and are challenged to find the answer on the Internet.
Investigate how we are reducing the negative impactof resource depletion on the Earth caused by our technological society.
Investigate how safe it is to consume fish caught in Lake Michigan.
A miniquest about calcium for 5th graders. Help Benny present his Mom with a healthy way to replace the milk he dislikes so much and still get the calcium that is so important to his development.
You have been awarded a grant to study abroad for a semester. Benet's only requirement is that you spend your time visiting historically significant sites. To assist you, I have selected five significant works of art of the Renaissance period that must be visited. Your quest is to locate the specific site of each these famous works, plot your route to visit these sites on a map of Europe that you download and print out, and calculate the total miles that you traveled in your quest. Your journey begins and ends in London, England. Finally, to get an introductory sense of these works of art, answer the simple questions that appear below and on the worksheet that has been provided. Bon Voyage!
One day, Coach Jennings, frustrated with the number of candy wrappers and pop cans littered on the gym floor by his team shouted, "Doesn't anyone on this team eat right? Do you realize that what you eat can affect how well you perform?" Kim was a bit startled by her coach's outburst, but she realized that there was a lot of truth to what he said. In this WebQuest, you will help Kim find out what and when her teammates should be eating on game day. The candy wrappers on the gym floor mean that she might also need to advise them on foods they should be avoiding.
Danielle's mom is being transferred to Baum, Kansas, and her family is preparing to move. Danielle has heard that Kansas has a lot of tornadoes. Her mom suggests that Danielle find out about tornadoes and see how her family can prepare for them. In this WebQuest, you will help Danielle find information about tornadoes and learn ways families can protect themselves.
Investigate a vegetarian diet and help Jenny determine whether this diet is healthy for her or not.
A miniquest designed for AP U. S. History students. Determine the most likely destination for the passengers of a shipwrecked colonial vessel.
When he is not grading your papers, your English teacher, Mr. Kane, is writing a book about authors. He is very behind schedule and the book editor is upset. Mr. Kane needs your help to find facts for his book. He will assign the name of an author to research and you must find the appropriate information for him.
For the Christmas Drive, your class has raised $500. Your teacher said that half of the money will go to local needy families and the other half will go to a different worthy cause. Your job is to persuade your teacher that your pet cause is the worthiest to receive a donation. Research information about a cause you feel strongly. Write a one page essay to convince your teacher that your cause is the one worthiest to receive the classes' hard earned cash. Your teacher will choose the winning cause.
You have seen the Illinois Computing Educators Technology flyer advertising their upcoming conference in November. Dr. Bernie Dodge, the inventor of the WebQuest concept, is the keynote speaker. You are curious about the concept and want to learn more about it before approaching your department chair to ask to attend the conference.
Your grandfather, who is 70 years old, seems to be suffering from either dementia or Alzheimer's disease.You have heard on the radio that the herb, ginkgo biloba, is effective in treating memory losses. You are contemplating buying some for your grandfather. The only medicine that he takes is 2 aspirin daily, recommended by his doctor to minimize blood clotting. Should you put him on the ginkgo biloba? Why or why not?
Matt and Joe are year round athletes. They have heard that the herb, ginseng, is a natural way to increase athletic performance. They visit a health food store and notice that there are three forms of ginseng. Should they take the ginseng? If so, which one and how much of it?
Your friend, Julia, suffering from depression, has been taking prozac as prescribed by her doctor since September. After hearing about the natural remedies, she decided to start taking St. John's wort the following May. Without consulting her doctor, she began the St. John's wort and stopped taking prozac after 2 weeks assuming that the herb could take over at that point. Was Julia's decision sound? Should she continue taking the herb. Find information from the listed web sites to support your response.
You and the other leading members of the community of Woonsocket, RI have gathered at the Red Rooster to hear the news of the Philadelphia Convention. Jonah Smythe has just walked in. He is carrying with him the latest copy of the Philadelphia Gazetteer with news of the national Convention that has been meeting there since May. You are invited to write an editorial for the Woonsocket Whaler explaining why you favor either a total boycott of the Philadelphia Convention or sending delegates to influence the course of the convention against ratification.