All Aboard!

a WebQuest for Eighth Grade Mathematics

 by Terry La Fleur

Yorkville Middle School
702 Game Farm Road
Yorkville, Illinois 60560
(630) 553-4385

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion


Introduction

The eighth grade team has unanimously decided that this year students should be given the responsibility for selecting a location and planning a field trip.


The Task

You will work together with another student to develop a plan and submit it to the team. The most practical plan that best fits the needs of the eighth grade curriculum (the subject matter taught in eighth grade) will be selected.

You will need to store the information you collect in a folder, a spreadsheet or a word processing program. At the end of the project, you will turn in:

  1. a bar graph showing the results of your survey

  2. a table listing the following information
    • total time spent including travel (distance / rate) and time at destination
    • total expense
      • admission
      • lunch
        • students
        • teachers
        • chaperones
      • busses
        • usage fee
        • tolls
        • parking
    • cost per student (total expense / number of students)

  3. a circle graph showing how the money will be spent (lunch, admission, busses, etc.)

  4. a scaled map of the route

  5. a narrative of your plan (see "YMS Guidelines for Student Writing")


Resources

The following is a list of links you may use to begin researching locations for a field trip:

Here's a couple places to find maps: If you still haven't found what you're looking for, here's some search engines:

The Process

You will plan a field trip for the entire eighth grade class. During the course of your planning, you may encounter questions that cannot be answered with the available resources. In that case, you will have to decide who would be the most appropriate person to ask.

The following steps are a recommendation. You may choose to do some steps simultaneously or in another sequence.

  1. Determine the destination.

    • Make a list of at least five possible locations that would be suitable for a field trip.
      Remember: the purpose of the field trip is to enhance the curriculum.
    • Take a survey of at least 50 eighth grade students to determine which location they would prefer.
    • Display the results of the survey using a bar graph. The location that received the most votes will be the destination for the field trip.

  2. Draw a scaled map which includes Yorkville Middle School and the destination.

    • You will need to use ratios and proportions to complete this task.
    • You may want to include landmarks.
      • Every map has a scale. Determine what your scale should be.
      • Will it fit on a 8 1/2"x11" piece of paper? For example, what if you use 1 inch = 1 mile?
      • Will it be so small you can't add landmarks? Experiment.

  3. Determine the time.

    • What is the total distance to and from the destination?
    • What is the total travel time there and back?
      • How much time will be spent at the destination?

  4. Arrange transportation.

    • You can use the district's busses. The usage charge is $25 per hour per bus.
    • What is the supervision ratio of adult/student?
      • How many teachers will be going?
      • How many chaperones will be needed?
    • How many persons can each bus hold?
      • How many busses will be needed?

  5. Determine the total cost.

    • What will it cost to use the busses?
      • How many hours will the busses be needed?
      • Will there be any toll or parking charges?
      • Remember to include usage, toll, and parking fees for each bus.
    • What will lunch cost for the group? (estimate)
    • What is the admission fee (if any) for the group?

  6. Determine the cost per student.

    • Teachers and chaperones go along for free.
    • Cost per student = total cost / number of students.

  7. Make a circle graph showing where the money will be spent. For example, admission, lunch, bus usage, parking, toll, etc.

  8. Write up your entire plan in narrative form.

    • Consult the "YMS guidelines for student writing."
    • Include all figures and details.
    • Be sure everything is written down. Don't leave anything to the imagination!
    • Include a list of works cited.

  9. Present your plan.

    • How does this trip tie in to the eighth grade curriculum?
    • It may be helpful to use a posterboard to display your graphs and data.


Evaluation

Your evaluation for this WebQuest will be based on the Evaluation Rubric which covers the following elements:

  • bar graph
  • table
  • circle graph
  • map
  • written plan
  • presentation
Neatness and accuracy are important.
Your written plan should include all data.
Your presentation should leave no questions unanswered.


Conclusion

After completing your project, reflect on the skills you have used.

  • What math skills did you use for this project?
  • What other skills did you use to complete this project?
  • Under what circumstances might you need to use these skills again?

District 115 WebQuests | Yorkville District 115 | Yorkville Middle School

Last update: June 9, 2000

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page.