Alfred Lothar Wegener
Alfred Lothar Wegener (1 November 1880 – November 1930) was a German polar researcher, geophysicist and meteorologist.
During his lifetime he was primarily known for his achievements in meteorology and as a pioneer of polar research, but today he is most remembered as the originator of the theory of continental drift by hypothesizing in 1912 that the continents are slowly drifting around the Earth (German: Kontinentalverschiebung). His hypothesis was controversial and not widely accepted until the 1950s, when numerous discoveries such as palaeomagnetism provided strong support for continental drift, and thereby a substantial basis for today's model of plate tectonics.
Pre-Media
Discuss the following with a partner/group, or as a class.
- What do you know about the continents, geologically and techtonically speaking?
- What do you know about the geology that exists below Earth's oceans?
Media
Watch the next 15 minutes of the video starting at 8:20. As you listen, take notes as if you are in an academic lecture classroom, writing down information you believe will be important for the class.
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.
Post-Media
Discuss the following with a partner/group, or as a class.
- What did you notice while creating your transcript that you might have missed during your first viewing?
- How is paying careful attention important in STEM fields?
- How important is accuracy in science?