Introduction

Throughout the WebQuest, click on the money bag in order to link to a related website.

Turn of the Century Tycoons:

How To Become An Industrial Giant

While studying 19th century pop culture, your American History teacher decided to take your class on a field trip to the oldest amusement park on the East Coast, Coney Island, New York. The purpose of the trip is to gain a greater understanding of how the new technologies of the time led to changes in leisure activities. In addition to your guided tour of the historic amusement park, you will also be able to enjoy the rides. If you are brave enough, feel free to ride the World Famous Cyclone...if you dare!

You sat in traffic for two hours, fell asleep during the three hour tour, and now finally your teacher says those words that you have been waiting all day to hear..."next stop, Cyclone!". It is the moment you have all been waiting for, and you all run. When you get to the ride, there is no line, so your entire class rushes to sit in the front car of the most famous roller coaster in the world. You are all buckled in, within a few seconds, your anticipation's over, the train starts to move. At first it slowly moves upward, almost as if you are heading into the sun, then suddenly, all seems still, and the only thing you hear is the clacking of the train on the track, then you have made it close to the top, and all you can see is the blue sky. Then, out of nowhere, you begin to fall into a seemingly out of control high-speed dive. It is the most exciting moment of the day. Without the slightest warning the train reaches the crest of the next peak and flies off the track. Suddenly the blue sky turns black!

When you open your eyes the ride is over. You expect to be at the same place you began, however, you feel that something is not quite right. You notice that the roller coaster is gone, and you and two of your classmates are sitting on a boardwalk bench. You look around, and see people wearing the strangest clothes you have ever seen. Then you turn and look at the beach, and the people look like they are swimming in their pajamas. You are confused, and frustrated, and then you see someone who looks familiar. It is the conductor of the roller coaster from Coney Island. He sits down next to you and explains that there has been a serious malfunction of the cyclone. When you left the track, you entered a time warp portal, and have been sent back in time, and it is now 1900. In order to get back to 2006, you must be invited to the Grand Opening of the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, and be the first to ride the Ferris Wheel. There will only be a five minute window of opportunity to get home, and if you miss it, you will be stuck in 1904!

The conductor explains that the only people who are invited to opening day of the Fair are the most prominent people in the country. He suggests that you use your knowledge of American History to become a Turn of the Century Tycoon and guarantee your invitation. Just as quickly as he appeared, he is gone, and you and your classmates need to figure out how to become a tycoon and make your way back home.

Throughout the WebQuest, click on the money bag in order to link to a related website.

Designed by: Chris Fackina