A Webquest
created by:
Mary Ann Montgomery and Anne Krutulis
Links to QCA Science
KS3 Unit 8B (Respiration)
and QCA Science KS3 Unit 9B (Fit and healthy)
and QCA ICT KS3 Unit
2 (Information and presentation)
Edited for inclusion in WebQuestUK by Dave
Kibblewhite
Last reviewed 18th July 2004
For centuries, man has been trying to conquer the heights. The highest and the most challenging of these, the Himalayas, provides a daunting challenge to those bold enough to try. Many who have tried, have failed; some have lost their lives. Many have succeeded!
A competent guide on this mountain trek needs to understand the relationships between altitude, temperature, and air pressure as they are critical to survival. Also, he/she will need to learn about and be aware of other dangers and survival skills. What motivates the climber to personally take on this dangerous challenge and what makes a successful climb?
You have been assigned as a guide for this expedition. You will be instructing four, experienced climbers on how to reach the summit . By the end of this exercise, you will complete these tasks:
1. E-mail a climber who has experienced the Everest challenge and find out what motivated the climber to attempt this feat.
2. Produce a brochure that you will use to guide and educate your group. Include maps, training, equipment, weather and altitude conditions.
Questions you will need to consider:
How high is the highest mountain in the world?
What is the air pressure at the bottom of the mountain, the middle, and the top?
How does air pressure affect the body? What do climbers have to do to overcome the ill effects they suffer at high altitude?
What types of food would you need to eat for this strenuous task?
Proper clothing is essential. What kind of materials and fibres are best for keeping you warm?
How many people in the past five years have reached the top and survived?
What causes avalanches?
Use the following resources to help you design your survival course:
NOVA Online | Everest | History & Culture An excellent site, giving information on all sorts of aspects about Everest.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/radar/sircxsar/everest.html Details on height, with photographs of summit.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10131/nepal_sickness.html Excellent site, explaining high altitude sickness.
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Environment_and_Nature/Mountains/Mount_Everest/Expeditions/2000/ List of interesting sites on varying aspects of Everest and expeditions.
You will be working in groups of four and each group will design its'own Guide Brochure.
Use Microsoft Publisher to produce the brochure.
Choose one person in your group to e-mail someone who has attempted a climb of Everest to find out what motivated that person to pursue such a dangerous mission. Include their reply in your brochure.
Each person in the group will write a paragraph expressing his/her ideas about what personal qualities make it possible for a person to climb the highest mountain in the world.
This project will make you an ideal person to consult should anyone want to go mountaineering.
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