Final Project

This is a classroom lesson in which students will compare the scientific geological history of two different island formations and then extend the lesson to look at the different indigenous stories of the island's history.

Island Comparisons

Comparing the geological history of the Hawaiian and Kodiak Islands

Background:
Kodiak Island in Alaska is due north of the Hawaiian Islands and they have many similarities. The cultures have grown to be rather similar though also very unique in their traditions and the weather they deal with.

Lesson:
We are going to look at the very different geological processes which formed the Hawaiian and Kodiak Islands which share an ocean and are very similar in size and topography.  The movement of the Pacific Plate has created the different islands in very different ways.

Task:

1. Print out the Island Comparison sheet which is at the bottom of this page.

2. Go through the resources below and fill in the blanks on the Comparison sheet as you learn about the geology of the different islands and gain an understanding of why they are so different.

3. Be prepared to take the assessment at the end of the lesson to demonstrate your learning.  On the quiz you will be asked to quickly describe the development of the two islands, ensuring that you highlight their differences.

Resources:
Before you begin looking through the resources, read over the Island Comparison sheet you printed and have an idea of what you are looking for.

First - learn about the formation of the Hawaiian Islands.  They have a very interesting geological history that combines volcanic activity and tectonic plate movement.  Follow this link to the first video.  Then go to the second video for another take on the same information.

Then, read and look through the pictures about the concept of an Accretion Wedge and how ocean crust can be sent to the surface to create land forms, mountain ranges, and even islands.  This concept is most likely how Kodiak came to be.

- Read through Wikipedia's explanation of an Accretionary Wedge. Remember to takes notes on your Island Comparison sheet.

- Have a look at the image to the right taken from Ole Nielsen's blog on earthquakes.  It gives a great picture of how an Accretionary Wedge can rise above sea level and become an island.

- Now have a look at a neat video about the 1964 Alaskan earthquake to get a better idea of the forces involved in a part of this tectonic plate motion.

Extend:
Now that you have had a chance to look through the science of the island formations and how they differ, let's have a look at the cultural history of the two islands and see if there is a difference.

Watch this video about the Hawaiian Island cultural explanation for the formation of those islands.

Now, work with your table group to develop a plan of how to get our island's cultural history.  Consider how you might use resources such as: elders in the community, our library, or the Alutiiq Museum downtown.  Develop a short plan of attack and a timeframe for your interviews or other research.  Your extend assignment is to have the plan.  We will work together as a class to get the story from the different sources that you think will be informative.

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Click on this image and a full size version will open so you can print it out.