Understanding Geologic Time
How long have humans been on Earth compared to the length of time dinosaurs roamed the planet? Gain a new understanding of time by mapping out Earth's history.
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More About This Resource...
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In this classroom activity, created to complement the Museum's Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries exhibit, middle school students gain an understanding of geologic time.
- The activity opens with background information for teachers about carbon and radiometric dating.
- In a classroom discussion, students share what they know about geologic time.
- Then, working in small groups responsible for different eras, students create a timeline for their assigned era by conducting library and Internet research.
- The activity concludes by having students review all the timelines to compare how long humans have been on the Earth to the length of time dinosaurs inhabited the planet.
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Completion Time
Approximately 1 period
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Topic
Paleontology -
Subtopic
General -
Subtopic
National Science Education Standards
Grades 5-8:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• abilities of technological design
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• science as a human endeavor• nature of science
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Learning Standard
National Science Education Standards
Grades 5-8:
Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry• understanding about scientific inquiry
Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:
• abilities of technological design
History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
• science as a human endeavor• nature of science
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