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Course: Big History Project > Unit 4
Lesson 4: Ways of Knowing: Our Solar System and Earth | 4.3- ACTIVITY: DQ Notebook 4.3
- WATCH: Introduction to Geology
- READ: Alfred Wegener and Harry Hess
- ACTIVITY: Claim Testing – Geology and the Earth’s Formation
- READ: A Girl Talk Geological Revolution - Marie Tharp: Graphic Biography
- READ: Eratosthenes of Cyrene
- WATCH: Introduction to the Geologic Time Chart
- READ: Principles of Geology
- ACTIVITY: What Do You Know? What Do You Ask?
- READ: The Universe Through a Pinhole — Hasan Ibn al-Haytham
- READ: Gallery — Geology
- Quiz: Our Solar System and Earth
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READ: A Girl Talk Geological Revolution - Marie Tharp: Graphic Biography
Marie Tharp spent much of her career in the shadows of male scientists. Yet, her work helped proved the theory of continental drift and our understanding of plate tectonics
The Graphic Biography below uses “Three Close Reads”. If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.
Reading 1: Skimming for gist
This will be your quickest read. It should help you get the general idea of what the graphic biography will be about. Pay attention to the title, headings, images, and layout. Ask yourself: what is this graphic biography going to be about?
Reading 2: Understanding content
For this reading, you should be looking for unfamiliar vocabulary words, the major claim and key supporting details, and analysis and evidence. You should also spend some time looking at the images and the way in which the page is designed.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
- What were some challenges that Marie Tharp faced in her work as a geophysicist?
- How did Tharp's mapping of a Mid-Atlantic Ridge and rift valley help prove the theory of continental drift?
- Why was Tharp's discovery important to collective learning?
- Look at the way the panels of the biography progress, moving clockwise from top-left. How does the artist use design to depict Marie Tharp's career as a geophysicist?
Reading 3: Evaluating and Corroborating
In this read, you should use the graphic biography as evidence to support, extend, or challenge claims made in the course.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
- What does Marie Tharp's story tell you about how theories become generally accepted? What did it take for her ideas to be accepted as scientific fact?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to read! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished reading.
A "Girl Talk" Geological Revolution: Marie Tharp - Graphic Biography
Writer: Bridgette Byrd O'Connor
Artist: Thomas Muzzell
Marie Tharp spent much of her career in the shadows of male scientists. Yet, her work helped proved the theory of continental drift and our understanding of plate tectonics.
Download the Graphic Biography PDF here or click on the image above.