Students learn about fossils what they are, how they are formed, and why scientists and engineers care about them.

To understand how fossils are formed, students model the process of fossilization by making fossils using small toy figures and melted chocolate. They extend their knowledge to the many ways that engineers aid in the study of fossils, including the development of tools and technologies for determining the physical and chemical properties of fossilized organisms, and how those properties tell a story of our changing world.

Earth Science SOL ES.9 states that students should interpret the history of the Earth from fossils. In theory this is easy, but may take years to be proficient at identifying index fossils and getting their geologic age. I have created an app that allows students to measure fossils,  get their identity down to the genus level and their geologic age, in under 5 minutes! The app also can calculate the surface are of the shells. 

In this activity students will use methods of collecting data, other than visual, to determine the contents of a small sealed box. They will make connections between this procedure and the procedures scientists use to study evolutionary theory. This activity has been specifically adapted to align with the high school biology standards to explore the limitations of studying the fossil record in a hands-on way.

Science Instructional Plans (SIPs) help teachers align instruction with the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the content and the scientific and engineering practices found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom. This lesson focuses on the history and evolution of the Earth.This lesson includes the WIDA English Language Development Standards for ELs and differentiation through additional supports for both ELs and other students

Today's science standards encourage inquiry based activities and the best inquiry based activities result when an scientist and teacher collaborate. This activity was created by Dr. Alex Hastings, one of the scientists who helped discover Titanoboa, a large snake that existed 60 million years ago in South America. In this activity students will use the measurement of a Titanoboa vertebrae to estimate the size of the snake and the temperature that must have existed back then to allow the snake to get to such a large size.

During the Coronovirus, many museums were shut down. I have been given permission by the Virginia Museum of Natural History to use their pictures of their fossils and exhibits in this virtual museum. Student can access this on their chromebook or pc. The displays are inquiry based and students are encouraged to fill in the attached worksheet as they tour the museum. 

The Virginia Museum of Natural History has given permission for pictures of fossils and their exhibits to be used in this virtual museum. Students can examine the latest exhibits on the Cretaceous Seaway and ask why was it there over the United States 87 million years ago. What are the oldest fossils in Virginia. They can examine evidence from Catawba Mountain just West of Roanoke to formulate hypotheses as to way so many marine species perished 450 million years ago.