Fossils Video

The diversity of life is incredible; yet what we see today is only a tiny view of all the different kinds of life that existed in the past. Fossils are windows into time that let us see what living things once were like. From the discoveries of dinosaur fossils we can learn how continents have moved, how climates and landscapes have changed and how life has evolved.

Fossils Video

Paleontologists regularly dig treasures out of the earth in the form of fossils. These remains of once-living things can tell us much about life in the past. Using modern technology, even more discoveries are coming to light. For example, fossilized remains captured in amber contain soft tissue such as organs, perhaps even DNA. The body of a wooly mammoth discovered in 1997 in Siberia had preserved hair and soft tissue. The hundreds of fossilized animals found in Nebraska’s Ashfall Fossil Beds appear to be a snapshot in time, as the animals were quickly preserved in volcanic ash. Scientists are not sure what creatures made mysterious tunnels in Mammoth Cave National Park, but they will keep searching. Every find sheds more light on extinct creatures and helps fill in gaps in the evolutionary record.

Fossils Video

Investigates fossils and how they were formed, examines how fossils can be dated through a number of ways, and finds out what conditions are needed to preserve the various kinds of fossils.

Earth's Changes Over Time

Hello!

I felt it is important for me to reiterate to my students and their families that even thought we are beginning to study geologic time, the ideas presented in this unit are scientific theory. Not at any time during these units, will I attempt to convince students that geologic theory is anything more than a theory, nor will I penalize students for having a different viewpoint or belief other than these theories being presented.

I will encourage all students to think critically about evidence presented within these units, as I do with all units. If a student would like to discuss the theories further, I am willing to discuss theories and hypotheses that have been presented by all sides as a means to encourage critical thinking and higher order thinking skills.

Below I have listed the Oregon Standards for Science that are required regarding these theories of changes within the Earth over time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

SC.08.3.A.2(7) Describe the Earth's structure and how it changes over time.
SC.08.3.A.2(12) Describe the evidence for and the development of the theory of plate tectonics.
SC.08.2.C.1(6) Describe and explain the theory of natural selection as a mechanism for evolution.
SC.08.2.C.1(7) Identify and explain how random variations in species can be preserved through natural selection.