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About This Simulation
Solve the continental mystery discovered by Alfred Wegener. Piece together the jigsaw puzzle of continental drift by investigating different forms of evidence, and unravel the story they tell about how the continents have moved over millions of years.
Learning Objectives
- Identify evidence that supports the hypothesis of continental drift
- Apply the evidence identified to develop the continental drift theory
- Calculate how fast plates have moved in the past and present to predict their future movement and locations
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
Related Standards
- HS-ESS1-5
Learn More About This Simulation
What can fossils tell us about the position of the continents millions of years ago? In this simulation, you will investigate the different forms of evidence that support the continental drift theory and use your knowledge to demonstrate where the continents were located in the past, and where they will move in the future.
Collect geological evidence
Head on an expedition, exploring different mountain ranges across the world to collect geological samples, such as rocks and fossils. You will experience the journey of Alfred Wegener and explore the evidence he uncovered over a century ago. You will hypothesize what this may tell us about the continents' past locations, before heading to the lab to test your hypothesis.
Recreate Pangaea In the lab, you will explore how your evidence relates to the continental drift theory. You will visualize your evidence in a 3D world map to see what it tells us about the distribution of mountains, animals, and ice sheets millions of years ago. Then, you will use this information to move continents across the world to piece together the ancient supercontinent, Pangaea. Use geological, fossil, and climatic evidence to construct the same argument that Alfred Wegener made more than one hundred years ago. See for yourself how the evidence converges to his conclusions through an interactive activity.
Calculate the rate
By the end of this simulation, you will be able to calculate the rate the continents are moving by exploring the distance they have traveled over the past millions of years. How far do you think Africa will travel in 50 million years?
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Join Dr. One in a spaceship and explore the drivers of natural climatic variations during the Earth’s past. Learn about the natural factors which can change the climate on Earth, and analyze the timescales and geographical extent of their effects.
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Tectonic plates travel two to three centimeters each year, but why? And how? Create convection currents in different materials to understand what causes plate movement and why it is so slow.
For Science Programs Providing a Learning Advantage
North Dakota State College of Science
“They did the simulation at home, then completed the in-person lab within 30 minutes, no questions asked, and passed the quiz with flying colors.”
Lecturer in Human Physiology
University of Westminster
"I saw some of the students who clearly didn’t necessarily like sitting there reading a book discover they could turn on Labster and keep up with the rest of the class because it spoke to them.
Modesto City Schools
"Having something that's engaging for the students gives teachers that opportunity to breathe and get excited again. Because they're seeing the kids light up, they're seeing the kids engage with content."
Wenatchee Valley College
"The question always is, ‘Can we demonstrate that the students are meeting course outcomes?’ Check! We can do that.”
San José State University
"We surveyed over 400 students. More than 90% thought Labster was easy to navigate, and that it was fun, but more importantly, most of them felt confident that they could execute the labs in person. And that confidence is a big deal."
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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A Labster virtual lab is an interactive, multimedia assignment that students access right from their computers. Many Labster virtual labs prepare students for success in college by introducing foundational knowledge using multimedia visualizations that make it easier to understand complex concepts. Other Labster virtual labs prepare learners for careers in STEM labs by giving them realistic practice on lab techniques and procedures.
Labster’s virtual lab simulations are created by scientists and designed to maximize engagement and interactivity. Unlike watching a video or reading a textbook, Labster virtual labs are interactive. To make progress, students must think critically and solve a real-world problem. We believe that learning by doing makes STEM stick.
Yes, Labster is compatible with all major LMS (Learning Management Systems) including Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, Moodle, and many others. Students can access Labster like any other assignment. If your institution does not choose an LMS integration, students will log into Labster’s Course Manager once they have an account created. Your institution will decide which is the best access method.
Labster is available for purchase by instructors, faculty, and administrators at education institutions. Purchasing our starter package, Labster Explorer, can be done using a credit card if you are located in the USA, Canada, or Mexico. If you are outside of North America or are choosing a higher plan, please speak with a Labster sales representative. Compare plans.
Labster supports a wide range of STEM courses at the high school, college, and university level across fields in biology, chemistry, physics, and health sciences. You can identify topics for your courses by searching our Content Catalog.