The focus of this lesson is to integrate data analysis as part of teaching Geologic History and understanding how scientists determine historical atmospheric conditions. Data-driven activities can help students enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they analyze the data sets to draw conclusions.
This lesson can be conducted as a CER lesson. Students are learning how fossils can be a source of indirect data related to historic atmospheric conditions to better understand how Earth’s climate changes over time. This fossil evidence corroborates data obtained from ice cores, rock samples, and other sources of data. Foraminifera fossils can also be used to locate potential hydrocarbon (oil and natural gas) reserves.
This lesson also includes 2 versions. Each version contains teacher instructions and student resources needed to complete the activities.
Version 1 – for use in the classroom with students in small groups
Version 2 – for use with students online/virtual classroom OR as an independent assignment in the classroom.
