Welcome to the Science Newsletter WebQuest

Your WebQuest task is to create a science newsletter. You will be assigned to a team of 3 or 4 students. There are five science teams and one newsletter team. Each science team will have one area of science to investigate. The science teams are: Geologists, Meteorologists, Biologists, General Scientists and Research and Development. The one newsletter team will be Publication.

The Newsletter

You and your team of scientific experts are going to research a variety of informational resources such as Internet sites, the library and other media like radio and TV and collect interesting science news in your field. Your newsletter must include the following:

Science Teams' Task

Each team of science experts must write at least one informational article from their scientific field that is written in their own words. You need to list your information resources even a web site if you use one.
Each team must cover one of the following newsletter items: a riddle, a graphic, a cartoon or a science book review.
The R & D team is responsible for two constributions to the newsletter. Choose from the following: a review of science software or a science website, a "Meet the Scientist" column and/or a review of a science video, television or radio program.
All teams must be responsible to research the answers to questions from readers.

Publication Teams' Task

Your team's job includes the following:
To assemble the newsletter, this includes typing, layout, proofing and editing.
Organize the Classified Ads
Collect science advertisements off the Internet
Any team is welcome to add other articles and items to this basic framework.

Resources

Here are the web sites that you should visit.

• Visit Sea World
• The Learning Web at the USGS
• The Public Broadcasting System
• The Discovery Channel Online

Try these sources:

Library

Books, Encyclopedias and Magazines
Filmstrips and videos

At Home

Television shows, Radio, Newspapers and Adults

The Process

Follow these steps:

1. Assign the following jobs to your team members
   • 2 researchers who collect the information resources both text and graphics
   • 2 writers who use these resources and produce rough drafts for one informational article and the extra newsletter item
2. Check with the Publication Team to get your other newsletter assignments and the length of your articles
3. Use a variety of resources and remember to write down the information source
4. When your rough drafts are ready, work in teams to proof and edit your newsletter copy
5. Submit your articles and items to the Publication Team
6. Be prepared to rework stuff if returned to your team by the PT

Hot Tips

When gathering information off the Internet download the text for future reference. Graphics need to be downloaded as well. Once again remember to cite your sources. If you use other sites than the ones listed above create a bookmark. When collecting information from print you might want to xerox a copy. You should take notes from your sources, not copy the words! If you quote something then use ".talking marks."

Conclusion

By doing this WebQuest you will learn how to research a variety of information sources to produce a real world document - a science newsletter. In the process you combine different computer skills, utilize language/writing skills, strengthen teamwork skills and learn about science. And last but certainly not least, you'll enjoy this learning experience.

This page was written by Sue Bussman, Kim Hendon, Mona Gonzales-McVann.