Introduction
WELCOME TO PALEONTOLOGY!
LETS GET DIGGING!!
Paleontology - sounds like a big word, doesn't it? If we break apart the word, we find three parts: paleo- meaning "old," "-ont-" meaning "being," and -ology meaning "the study of." So, in simplest terms, the word means the study of old beings. Paleontologists study the history of life on earth by looking at fossils. Grab your tools. It's time to go!
Task
During Paleontological digs, paleontologists discover fossils and they are really cool to discover how that dinosuar was shaped and what it looked like. Today, you guys will be going on a Palenotological dig of your own and finding fossils that help you get a better understanding of what Paleontology is. You will then create an exhibit for the fossil that will show the importance of the fossil and all the facts learned about the fossil. The exhibit will include where the fossil was found, what dinosaur it is from, facts that can explain what this dinosaur did and it's uniqueness from all the other dinosaurs. So, let's get to digging!
Process
This will be a Group activity, make sure to have at least 3 people in your team. You can take roles as Leader, Recorder, and Presenter. It's up to your group!
1. The first task is to find a fossil. There are several fossils placed around the room, use the tools needed to uncover the fossil and have the recorder document the shape and the size of the fossil, also take a picture. Once the Fossil is uncovered, go to a computer and start the research.
2. As you research your fossil, complete the Fossil Guide given to you by your teacher to help you figure all the information needed to fully understand the fossil. Remember to identify the fossil and collect the information regarding the fossil throughout history.
3. Visit this website: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/stories/middle/intro.html. This website contains stories about fossils and will help you get a better understanding about fossils.Explore all four sections of the website and write down at least five things important you learned from each section. You may have the same facts as your group members or you can choose different ones.
4. Continue researching about your fossil. I have provided a couple of resources you could use to help your group gather the information needed for the exhibit.
https://www.fossilguy.com/gallery/index.htm
https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/dinofossils/Fossiltypes.html
5. Once you have finished the Fossil Guide, your group can start creating your exhibit. You can make a poster board, or powerpoint to help explain your fossil to the other groups.
6. Make sure when you are creating the exhibit to include a picture of the fossil, the name of that specific fossil, the dinosaur it came from, what part it is, and the uniqueness of this dinosaurs from the other dinosuars. These items are needed but feel free to add more facts to help your peers understand the fossil better.
7. Once you are finished with the powerpoint or poster, prepare the presenter to present most of the project and make sure everyone knows what part they are explaining and make sure that it is under 10 minutes. The minimum of the presentation is 5 minutes and 10 minutes is the maximum.
Evaluation
|
Category |
Excellent (20 points) |
Good (10 points) |
Fair (5 points) |
Poor (0 points) |
Score
|
|
Grammar and Punctuation
|
There are no grammar or punctuation errors |
There are 1-5 grammar and/or punctuation errors |
There are 5-10 grammar and/or punctuation errors |
There are more than 10 grammar and/or punctuation errors |
|
|
Use of Resources |
Team shows they did all of their research correctly and uses lots of data and facts. |
Team shows they did decent research and they use decent amount of facts but not a bunch. |
Team shows they did okay research, but they do not use a lot of accurate facts. |
Team shows they did no research and they made up facts they are not sure of. |
|
|
Presentation |
Presentation has excellent flow and it makes sense to everyone else. |
Presentation has good flow and can be a bit confusing to people. |
Presentation has an okay flow and the information kind of seems all over the place. |
Presentation has no flow and makes no sense. |
|
|
Team Work |
Every member of the team is equally involved and knows the information. |
Most of the team members are involved and know the information. |
Half of the team members are involved and know the information. |
No one on the team is on the same page and knows the information. |
|
|
Total Points |
|
|
Conclusion
By completing this WebQuest you should have a better understanding of Paleontology. Now that you know how we study and get a better idea of our Earth's past, be sure to go out and check areas near you where you could find some fossils. As you are nearing the completion of your task, I would like for you to elaborate about your experiences. Anything new about Paleontology that you learned? Something you would like to know? What did you find most interesting? Any other suggestions that would be helpful for other students?
Thank you new paleontologists!!