An Internet WebQuest on UFO's

Contact Dictionary

You and a team of learners are presented with the task of organizing a debate about whether UFO's exist or not. Instead of looking for a group of outside experts, each of you is going to become an expert. However, each of you will develop a different point of view.

Based upon what each of you learn, you will represent one voice in the debate. What's the truth? That will be for you to discover.

Be careful because when we use the Internet for our research we often go to unreliable sites. Many people post their personal opinions and do not really know much beyond their opinion. Anyone can have a website, and many people are just plain nuts or stupid! In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the abundant resources on the Internet to learn all about UFO's. Rather than doing your own search, please use the suggested hyperlinks. I had to have the school unblock some links for your use! (If you try to access links at school by doing your own Google search, you may find they are blocked. Maybe the school district is involved with the government conspiracy!!!!! Am I kidding?) Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle, and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic.

The Quest

Do UFO's really exist?

Have people really been abducted by extraterrestrials?

Is there life on other planets?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will prepare a different part of the debate. As a member of the group, you will explore Web pages from people all over the world who have an opinion about UFO's. Because these are real Web pages we are tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary (http://www.m-w.com/) or one in the classroom.

You will begin with everyone in your group getting some background information before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Task 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Everyone on the team must use the Internet information linked below to answer some basic questions about UFO's. (Take good notes.)

1. Where have they been seen?

2. Have people really been kidnapped?

3. What happened at Roswell?

Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

· Unnatural Museum--Hall of UFO Mysteries http://www.unmuseum.org/ufo.htm

· Kidnapped by UFOs? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/aliens/

· Roswell Declassified http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/defense/1281546.html

Task 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

1. Your class will divide into teams to explore one of the roles below. Your role might not reflect your true point of view, but you will have to imagine you are part of the group that you represent.

Roles: Believer in UFO's

Scientist (nonbeliever)

Member of the SETI Project

Alien abductee

2. Read through the files linked to your group. Take good notes that you can later use for the debate and the essay. You may copy and paste your notes to a word document if you have a disk on which to save it.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you have learned into one main opinion that answers the three big Questions (Quest) based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

Believer in UFO's, member of MUFON

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Believer in UFO's, member of MUFON. Take good notes that you can later use for the debate and the essay. You may copy and paste your notes to a word document if you have a disk on which to save it.

1. What is MUFON?

2. What should you do if you see a UFO?

3. Read about some recent sightings from the Reporting Center. What happened in each one? Pretend you were the person who made the sighting. Read through the files linked to your group. Be prepared to tell your story.

· MUFON: The Mutual UFO Network http://www.mufon.com/

· National UFO Reporting Center http://www.nwlink.com/~ufocntr/

Scientist who does not believe in UFO's

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to a scientist who does not believe in UFO’s. Read through these files linked to your group. Take good notes that you can later use for the debate and the essay. You may copy and paste your notes to a word document if you have a disk on which to save it.

1. How do people make fake UFO pictures?

2. What does Carl Sagan say about UFO’s and abductions?

3. What did the Air Force say about Roswell?

4. What do scientists have to say about UFO evidence?

The Unmuseum-- http://www.unmuseum.org/ufohoax.htm

Interview with Carl Sagan http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/aliens/carlsagan.html

The Roswell Report: Case Closed http://www.af.mil/library/roswell

UFO Evidence - http://www.ufoevidence.org/documents/doc817.htm

Member of the SETI project

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to a member of the SETI Project. Take good notes that you can later use for the debate and the essay. You may copy and paste your notes to a word document if you have a disk on which to save it.

1. What is SETI?

2. What is the possibility that there is life on other worlds?

3. What is extraterrestrial migration?

· Check out the FAQ's on the SETI Institute page http://www.seti.org/about-us/index.php

http://www.oreilly.com/news/mcconnell_0401.html

Alien Abductees

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to alien abductees. Take good notes that you can later use for the debate and the essay. You may copy and paste your notes to a word document if you have a disk on which to save it.

1. Read some of the abduction stories and pretend you have been abducted. Be sure to know exactly what happened to you.

2. What do these stories have in common?

· Alien Abduction Experience and Research http://www.abduct.com/ (Go to Web Directory and click on "Alien Contact"

· Alien Alley Abduction Artwork http://www.alienalley.com/

Task 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of UFO’s. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the QUEST Questions as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others will disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc., from the Web pages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Quest Question. Your WebQuest team will write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Do UFO's really exist?

Have people really been abducted by extraterrestrials?

Is there life on other planets?

Task 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing into different roles. Now is the time to demonstrate what you have learned from your research and debate. Together you will create a pamphlet, news letter, or PowerPoint presentation that presents the opinions, information, and perspectives that you have gained.

Before hitting the computers, show me your plans. What will be on each of the six panels of the tri-fold brochure? What are the headings of each slide in your PowerPoint presentation?

Grading

Multiple grades will be given during this WebQuest:

You will be graded daily on preparation and participation.
Your individual notes from Task 1 and Task 2 will be graded.
The team pamphlet, news letter, or PowerPoint presentation will be the most important grade. Keep in mind that everyone must participate to receive the grade.
In summary, all you need to do to receive several A's on this quest is to do your work and contribute to the team's quest!