🔬 ESS1-4 MA STE ESS1-4: Construct scientific arguments to explain how astronomical, geological, and biological evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics. 🔬 ESS2-2 MA STE ESS2-2: Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils, rocks, and climate zones to support the explanation of plate motion over geologic time. 🔬 SEP-6 NGSS SEP-6: Constructing Explanations — students synthesize evidence layers to form a scientific hypothesis about continental configurations.

🧠 Desirable Difficulty Evidence-based spatial reconstruction creates productive struggle that deepens encoding (Bjork, 1994). 🧠 Worked Example Fading Evidence cards scaffold initial reasoning before students construct their own spatial model — supports novice-to-expert progression. 🧠 Multimedia Learning Aligned visual + conceptual layers reduce extraneous cognitive load while fostering germane connections (Mayer, 2009).

Simulation

Floatlandia Fracture

Use fossils, rock formations, and coal deposits to reconstruct the ancient world of Floatlandia, the distant geologic past of modern Floatia, and explain how this ocean world changed over time.

📋 Before You Begin

Read this first, then investigate

This is a four-step investigation into ancient Floatlandia. Complete each step in order.

Common Misconception

Continents do not suddenly break apart all at once. Over millions of years, plates move slowly, and scientists use patterns in rocks, fossils, and coal deposits to reconstruct what a world once looked like.

What is this simulation showing?

You are using evidence to reconstruct ancient Floatlandia, the distant geologic past of modern Floatia. Matching fossils, continuous rock bands, and coal deposits can reveal that landmasses were once connected before plate motion separated them.

Why use three kinds of evidence?

A single clue can be misleading. Scientists build stronger explanations when multiple lines of evidence point to the same conclusion.

Phase 1

Analyze the Evidence

Unlock all three evidence types to reveal the clues scientists use to study continental drift. Each one tells a different part of the story.

✓

Marine Fossils on Mountains

🦕

Fossilized ocean creatures found at high altitudes suggest these rocks were once deep underwater — and the continents have moved dramatically since.

✓

Matching Rock Formations

🪨

Identical rock bands — same minerals, same age, same diagonal striations — appear on coastlines thousands of kilometers apart. They must have once been connected.

✓

Ancient Climate
Zones

🌡️

Coal deposits form in warm, tropical swamp forests. Finding coal far from the equator suggests those landmasses were once in very different positions.

Why this matters

Phase 2

Reconstruct Ancient Floatlandia

Long before the floating cities of modern Floatia existed, the land that would one day become Floatlandia was part of a massive supercontinent. Use fossils, rock bands, and coal deposits to rebuild ancient Floatlandia inside the outline. When matching evidence lines up across plate edges, you know you're getting close.

Scientist Support Panel

Use these clues like a field scientist while you rebuild Floatlandia's ancient past and connect it to modern Floatia.

Mission

Use fossils, rock bands, and coal deposits as your guide. When evidence lines up across plate edges, you've found the right fit. Drag plates into the outline to reconstruct the ancient supercontinent.

What to check

•Coal deposits suggest warm, tropical environments near the equator.

•Matching fossils should meet across plate edges.

•Rock bands should continue in the same direction.

•Use the equator line to reason about where plates with coal once sat.

Fossil evidence

Aquaclaw
Small shallow-sea predator found along matching coastlines.

Shellback
Hard-shelled marine organism common in warm coastal water.

Driftfin
Open-water swimmer found in the same rock layers on two plates.

Rootspine
Land plant fossil that points to warm, humid conditions.

Frostcrawler
Cold-adapted organism found near cooler ancient waters.

Phase 3

Watch Floatlandia Through Deep Time

You've placed the plates and studied the evidence. Before you press play, think about this:

What do you think will happen as the plates move through deep time?

Run the simulation and see how the evidence you studied plays out over hundreds of millions of years.

Phase: —

500 Mya Fragmented

350 Mya Assembly

250 Mya Supercontinent

150 Mya Breakup

Phase 4

Check Your Understanding

You've examined the evidence, rebuilt ancient Floatlandia, and watched the plates move through deep time. Answer these five questions to see how well you understood the investigation.