Pangea Interactive Model

thingiverse

Earth has undergone changes over time that completely change how it looked hundreds of years ago. From the smallest grain of sand to the largest mountain ranges, geographic changes are constant and ever evolving. The concept of continental drift is a topic commonly taught in middle school classroom settings to depict how the earth’s continents have moved and changed over time. Kentucky Academic Standard HS-LS3-3 establishes geographic changes, both above and below Earth’s surface. Students are to explore the topics of tectonic plates, erosion, soil layers, and how the Earth has changed and why. These topics all relate to continental drift and the development of Earth’s surfaces over time (KAS MS. History of Earth, 08-ESS1-4, 2-2, 2-3). A model showing continental drift made in 3D printing software to create an educational model for classroom use would help students understand how land has moved and where current landmarks sit. The continental drift model is an engaging and interactive way for students to explore the topic of continental drift. By using 3D printing software, the model is created with precision to accurately depict the continents' movement over time. This model is marketed to the visually impaired but can be used in many settings. Using the model in the classroom provides a tactile way for students to understand the geographic changes that have occurred over time. For those that are hands-on learners, the model may prove useful for conceptualizing how and where the continents moved. For the visually impaired, the model provides a tactile way to identify the locations of the continents now in relation to Pangea. The supercontinent model works by moving the continents through the track. The continents first are positioned together to form Pangea. Students will then be tasked with moving the individual continents to their modern-day positions by sliding the continents through their designated tracks. The final model will have a unique shape at the bottom of the continents’ tracks so that students will be able to correctly lock the continents into position and differentiate continents to move them from the Pangea positions to their modern-day locations. By exploring the topic of continental drift, students will gain a better understanding of the Earth's structure, plate tectonics, and how these processes are connected to the development of Earth's surfaces over time. This model will highlight processes discussed in the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) MS. History of the Earth section to meet all required learning targets and supplement other geographic science understanding.