Author:
Carrie Robledo
Subject:
Science
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Level:
Middle School
Tags:
License:
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
Language:
English

Education Standards

8th Grade Science - Earth History

8th Grade Science - Earth History

Overview

 

Students create a museum exhibit of the history of the Earth (including eras, fossil record, mass extinctions) using CoSpaces and view in VR with phones and goggles.

Instructor Directions

Earth History Project

Driving Question / ScenarioWhat is the importance of the Geologic Time Scale and the fossil record?
Project SummaryStudents create a museum exhibit of the history of the Earth (including eras, fossil record, mass extinctions) using CoSpaces and view in VR with phones and goggles.
Estimated TimeFour 60 minute sessions
Materials / ResourcesCoSpaces subscription Cospaces Instructions for Students  Tutorial Video by Cospaces - To help students 1 VR goggle per student or group1 Laptop or Chromebook per student or group1 phone per student or groupPaper and pencilInstructions and scoring guidePre and Post assessment
Standards8.E.2.1 Infer the age of Earth and relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and ordering of rock layers (relative dating andradioactive dating).
Project Outline
AskWhat is the Geologic Time Scale? Why is the Geologic time scale important? Why is the fossil record important? What can we learn from the Geologic time scale and the fossil record?  How old is the Earth and how do we know?
ImagineGiven CoSpaces App create a virtual museum exhibit about the eras of the Geologic Time Scale as well as the types of fossils and how the fossil record helps us understand the history of the Earth.
PlanUsing paper and pencil draw out a plan of your museum displays (images, models, and information) that will be included in your Cospaces creation. Think about: How many exhibits will you have and what will be the focus of each exhibit? What will you include as models and images and what will you include as written or spoken information?
CreateReview the steps of how to create a cospace.  Use CoSpaces to develop your museum exhibits on Geologic time scale and fossil record. Create a wall or room for each exhibit that includes your planned information and models.  Be sure to choose a starting point for viewers and give them a clear path to follow through your exhibits.  Instructions and scoring guide
ImproveSubmit your cospace project to be graded.  Will have a chance to edit after initial grade.
Closure / Student ReflectionsReflect on the teacher's feedback, make any corrections and then submit the final project.  Presentation of project to peers in the class (done as a gallery walk). Students use the phones and goggles to view the Cospace created by their peers.  Post assessment.
Possible Modifications / ExtensionsModifications: Have students work in cooperative learning groups that have students of different learning levels working together. Can have students do less of the requirements as needed.Extensions: Students can apply knowledge of the Geologic time scale and fossil record to make predictions on the next mass extinction event as well as what from their lives could eventually be fossils for future generations to study.

 

Pre and Post Assessment Questions

Pre and Post assessment

Sample Pictures / Video

 

 Video of Sample Project