Continental Drift Alfred Wegener

Learning Objectives
Learn who Alfred Wegener was and state the theory of continental drift.
Describe the crust as broken into pieces called tectonic plates.
Explain that convection currents within the Earth’s mantle driven by heat released by natural radioactive processes because the plates to move at relative speeds of a few centimeters per year.
Evaluate the evidence for continental drift and explain why it was not accepted at the time.

Settler:
Think pair share – Were all scientists successful?
Introduce students to the storys of Mendeleevs early life, Alfred Wegeners life and/or Nikolai Tesla.

Starter:

Demonstration:
Plate tectonic demonstration with biscuits and syrup – see video

Practical:

Main 1:
Alfred Wegener Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-cES1Ekto
Explain tectonic plates and continental drift
Alfred Wegener SciShow Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbU809Cyrao

Main 2:
Pupils answer
What is the Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift. And what evidence did he have for it? (4)
Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift was not accepted by the scientists at the time. Why? (2)
AFL:

Homework
Produce a fake social media page for Alfred Wegener, what sort of things would he be posting about? Some people have already had a go, what would you post about if you were him?