VACATIONQUEST
Created by Dennis Mann
Introduction  I  Task  I  Process  I  Evaluation Page  I Conclusion  ICredits  I  Helpful Links  I  Teacher
Introduction 
     This webquest will aquaint you with the many areas involved in planning a vacation. You will be using math skills in a real life situation. You will need to plan and organize your trip, estimate expenses, and give reasons for your choices. 
The Task 
     You and a friend are going to take a trip together. You must decide where you will go and what you will do while you are there, on the way there, or on the way back. You will also have to decide how you are going to travel, what to do about overnight accomodations, and meals. You will figure all of your costs and your timetable for a one week vacation in the United States. Remember, you are figuring costs for two people.

 
The Process 
     1. You and your partner must decide on the places that you are going to and any activities that you plan to do on the way there, while you are there, or on the way home.You will leave on  Friday night or Saturday morning and arrive home on the following weekend.  List any attractions or activities and their costs. Then calcalate the total.Click here for your Destinations Worksheet.
     2. Decide on your method of transportation and calculate your total costs for the trip. Itemize tickets, rental costs, gasoline, etc. Use the internet to find you prices. If you drive a car you will need to find your total miles for the trip and use 20 mpg  to figure how many gallons of gas you will use. Click here for a Transportation Worksheet.
     3. Itemize the costs of each overnight stay. Name the establishment and the rate for each night. Then calculate the   total cost. Click here for an Overnight Stays Worksheet.
     4. Determine what you will be eating for each meal and itemize the costs. Then calculate the total cost of meals. Click here for a Meals Worksheet
     5. Make an itinerary for your trip. Tell what you are doing each day and give the time for each activity whether it be traveling, a meal, an attraction, getting up or going to bed. Click here for an Itinerary Worksheet.
     6. Write a one page paper on why you chose (a) the places you visited, (b) methods of transportation, (c) the places you stayed overnight, and (d) the types of meals that you ate. 

 
Evaluation 
     A. The Destinations, Transportation, Meals, Overnight Stays, the Trip Itinerary, and the one page paper will each be evaluated according to the following standards:
     1. 20 points for having all of the required information and all of costs accurate.
     2. 15 points for having most of the required information and most of the costs accurate.
     3. 10 points for having about half of the required information and about half of the costs accurate.
     4.  5 points for having about one-fourth of the required information and about one-fourth of the costs accurate.
     5.  0 points for having almost none of the required information almost none of the costs accurate.

 
Conclusion 
     A vacation requires planning in advance in order to predict expenses and to utilize your time to the fullest. There as many different types of vacations as there are people. You must make choices that suit your budget, time frame, and what you like to do for relaxation and enjoyment. 
 

 

 
Credits & References
Judy Eyler 

 
HELPFUL LINKS

TOURISM OFFICES WORLDWIDE DIRECTORY

AIR TRAVELPRO

TRAVELOCITY

TRAVELPAGE

MAPQUEST

HOTELSTRAVEL

RESTAURANTS
 
 
TEACHER
     This activity was developed for use in the junior high and early high school math curriculum. The purpose is to use computational skills in a real life situation; develop rational thinking, planning, and organizational skills;  and to give students experience working with the internet.

 ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS

                          MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH                            EARLY HIGH SCHOOL
                       6B3; 6C3a;10A3a; 7C4c                                  3B4a; 3C4b; 6B4; 6C4; 
                                                                                                     7A4b; 10A4a