The Process

Goal

The goal of this lesson is to help students understand the concepts of geologic time. In this lesson will focus on relative and absolute age dating, as well as specific periods of geologic time.

Timeline

Day 1 – (Single Period)

• Introduce project and goals to the students.
• Randomly assign groups, I usually like students to choose numbered popsicle sticks so that groups are truly random and no student can complain.
• Go over expectations regarding goals, student comprehension of subject matter, and time frames for completion of assignments.

Day 2 – (Double Period)

• Students will be assigned a fossil for their research project.
• Students will break out into groups and will focus on their exercise, which should take students approximately 30 to 40 minutes to determine the age of their fossil and to enter their findings in their Field Notebook.
• Students should be doing their individual work while also working together as a group to answer the research questions and to discover additional information throughout the lab period.

 Day 3 & 4 – (Single Period) (Double Period)

• Students will compile their findings and create a presentation to present to the Rock Institute.
• The format of the presentation will be left to the discretion of the student. Presentations can vary from a PowerPoint presentation, a scrap book, a newsletter, or a formal scientific conclusion.
• Students should be encouraged to use their creativity so that presentations don’t become boring or tedious.

 Day 5 & 6 (Single Period) (Double Period)

• Students will be given the opportunity to present their findings.
• Once the project and the presentation are done the students will then complete a reflection of their experiences, focusing on the pros and cons of the exercise.

Rational

 This lesson is easily conducted but the concepts behind the lesson are difficult. I recommend that, as a teacher, you are fully prepared prior to assigning a project such as this one. This would include printing out all the materials beforehand and personally completing the WebQuest prior to having the students begin. It makes it much easier to assist students when they encounter stumbling blocks if you are familiar with the navigation and steps necessary to successfully complete the assignment.

Student Process

Step ONE
Each research team has a different fossil. Click here to "see" your fossil and copy down the preliminary information in your field notebook.

Step TWO
Depending on your specialty click on your expert area to find resources specific to your job.

Relative Dating
Absolute Dating
Geological History

Step THREE
After your team has compiled all the necessary information, you will need to put together a presentation. Be sure to include the fossil name, the relative age, a brief description as to how the relative age was found, the absolute age, a description of how the absolute age was found, the time period which this fossil existed, and a brief description of that time period.
Your presentation can range from a PowerPoint presentation to a poster to a newsletter type paper. (Be creative)

Step FOUR
Present your information to the Rock Institute (your class).

Step FIVE
Each person will be responsible for typing a conclusion and a reflection.

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