Introduction


Introduction	Task	Process	Resources	Evaluation

Introduction In 1849, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California and people from all over the United States packed their belongings and began to travel by wagon to what they hoped would be a new and better life. Since most of these pioneers began their exodus to California in 1849, they are generally referred to as 49ers. One of these groups arrived in Salt Lake City, one of the major supply points along the trail where pioneers prepared for the long journey across the Great Basin desert before climbing over the High Sierra Mountains to the gold fields of California, only to find that it was too late in the year to cross the mountains safely. Rather than wait out the winter in Salt Lake City, they decided to take the Old Spanish Trail, a route they had heard about that went around the south end of the Sierras and was safe to travel in the winter. The only problem was no pioneer wagon trains had ever tried to follow it and they could only find one person in town, Jefferson Hunt, who knew the route and would agree to lead them. As this wagon train left Salt Lake City, some of these people would become part of a story of human suffering in a place they named Death Valley. You can now become a part of this story of courage and discovery. back to top

Task The Chief Curator of The Death Valley Days Historical Society has chosen your team to create an interactive exhibit entitled Death Valley: Then and Now for their upcoming Pioneer Days celebration. You and your team have decided to re-create this ill-fated trip through Death Valley, and using your imagination and technology skills, as well as the power of the Internet, discover the history surrounding these hardy and courageous travelers; and along the way learn about the people and culture, plants and wildflowers, animals and wildlife, and minerals and geology of this mysterious southwest desert area. Your team consists of six individuals with the following expertise: a Cartographer - mapmaker and terrain expert an Historian - chronicler of the past and present an Anthropologist - observer of people and cultures a Zoologist - animals and wildlife a Botanist - plants and wildflowers a Geologist - recorder of minerals and mines Each team member will visit the internet sites shown below to gather the information necessary to complete his/her portion of your exhibit. You will choose three of the five mediums listed here to create your exhibit: a PowerPoint presentation a web site a 3-dimentional,stand-alone display a video a brochure back to top

Process 1. Before you begin, each team member should visit the following sites for a review of the history surrounding this eventful time (just click on the underlined words): Gold Fever How Death Valley Got Its Name 2. Next, using consensus, your team will decide which role each member shall adopt. If there is any question regarding the specific duties of any role, please ask the instructor now. Copy and paste to a word processing file, the Team Handout, Members. Print a copy, complete the handout, and turn in to your instructor before the end of class. 3. Before beginning to collect your data, using consensus, the team will decide which mediums will be used to complete their exhibit, and if necessary, will discuss with the instructor ways in which any part of the exhibit may be completed. Do not wait until you have finished gathering data, as what mediums you use will focus your decision on what data to select. Copy and paste to a word processing file, the Team Handout, Exhibit. Print a copy, check off which mediums your team has selected, and turn in before the end of class. TIMELINE: Please complete steps 1, 2, and 3 during Day 1 of this WebQuest. 4. Each team member will individually visit the identified sites, decide what data they wish to gather, and using the Data Worksheet, begin to plan each part of the exhibit. You do not have to use data from all the sites listed, only gather data which is appropriate for your exhibit. You may copy and paste text, graphics, or photographs from these sites, but remember you must cite each source you use. Copy and paste the Data Worksheet to a word processing file. Make enough copies for each team member and use the worksheet to make notations of the sites you visited and what data you have collected. TIMELINE: Each member will have three days to visit the sites they have selected and complete a Data Worksheet. 5. After each team member has gathered their information, the team will come back together to discuss the specifics of their exhibit, including each member's responsibility for completing each portion of the exhibit. Copy and paste the Team Handout, Responsibilities to a word processing file, print a copy and complete it by listing what each team member will be responsible for completing. Turn this in to your instructor by the end of class. TIMELINE: Your team will have one class period to discuss the specifics of your exhibit. 6. Complete each medium of your exhibit. Remember to quote your sources and use your own words whenever possible. If you have any questions regarding the completion of any part of your exhibit, ask your instructor now -- DO NOT wait until it is time to present your project. TIMELINE: You will have five days to finish your exhibit. 7. Presentation: Time will be set aside to present each project. Be sure to check the rubrics below so you will know what is expected of you and your team. You will be graded both on your individual efforts and that of your team, so be sure you check the Exhibit Rubric as well. All exhibits will be available for viewing by the entire school. 8. Conclusion: After you have presented your project, each team member should reflect upon and respond to this question: Now that you know something about 1849 and the area known as Death Valley, what do you think motivated people like the 49ers to move west, ignoring all the dangers and warnings and the uncertainty of the future? Imagine yourself living in Chicago in 1849. You hear about the promise of riches and gold, but also about the dangers. Would you "go west" to seek your fortune, or would you stay behind in your comfortable and familiar home? Please provide reasons for your answers. back to top

Resources WEB SITES SOURCES: Cartographer Salt Lake Desert Death Valley National Park Sand Dunes Old Spanish Trail Map Historian The Donner Party Fun Facts The Old Spanish Trail Gold Rush Chronology Death Valley Gold is Discovered Anthropologist Native People of Death Valley Ghost Towns Women of the Gold Rush Gold Rush Chronology Stories of the Gold Rush Sutter's Discovery of Gold Cultural Resources Zoologist Poisonous Animals Endemic Animals Wildlife Animals of Death Valley Botanist Poisonous Plants (scroll down) Endemic Plants Plant Life Plants in Death Valley Geologist Cenozoic time Mesozoic time Middle Cambrian to Permian time Mining History Death Valley Geology of Death Valley PRINT SOURCES: Goodbye Death Valley, L. Burr Belden Ground Afire: Death Valley, Sally Clifford back to top

Evaluation Students and their groups will be evaluated by the themselves, the teacher, and their classmates. A total of 92 points are possible. Presentation Rubric (Group/teacher) (12 points) Presentation Rubric (Peer) (12 points Self Evaluation (12 points) Exhibit Rubric (56 points) back to top

by Janice L. Rozich masterdegree@hotmail.com July, 2000