Mission Library

Era of the Unknown
Fossils
Grades 3-6


The Mission
35 min

Storyline

There's been another mishap with one of Dr. Marvin's inventions. Student will need to analyze fossil data then travel back in time to rescue RALF!

In an experiment gone wrong, RALF has been trapped in an unknown geological period. The only evidence to work from? A fossilized RALF. Students will analyze fossil data and rock lay...

3-Dimensional Science

Phenomenon

Earth's landscape changes over time. Patterns in rock layers and fossils are evidence of past living organisms and the environment they lived in.

Science and Engineering Practices

Asking Questions and Defining Problems

The crew asks questions and defines the problems related to the fossil evidence and geological layers they encounter.

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

The crew plans and carries out investigations to analyze the fossils and gather data from the rock layers.

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

The crew analyzes the fossil evidence and rock layers to make conclusions about the ancient environment and timeframes.

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

The crew uses computational thinking to navigate the time web and make adjustments to the time machine's power.

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

The crew gathers scientific data from the fossils and communicates their findings to Doctor Zyla.

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns

The crew recognizes patterns in the fossils and rock layers to determine the ancient environment and timeframes.

Cause and Effect

The crew observes the traits in the Allosaurus remains and uses that information to determine its behavior and habitat.

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

The crew analyzes data from different geological layers and time periods to identify the timeframe suitable for the Allosaurus.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity

The crew analyzes fossils to understand the ancient environment and traits of different dinosaurs.

ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth

The crew uses rock layers to identify different timeframes from Earth's history and determine the habitat of the Allosaurus.

ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions

The crew uses their scientific knowledge and computational skills to navigate the time web and make adjustments to the time machine's power.

Resources
Targeted Standards
Timeline
0:00

Mission Start and Briefing

1:39

Docking Port Navigation

5:36

Students Receive Information

8:31

Students Receive Information

14:02

Student Design

22:02

Student Design Review

27:32

Powering Time Machine

28:25

End

Skills in Action
CollaborationCommunicationComprehensionCritical ThinkingDecision-MakingInitiativeMetacognitionProblem SolvingResilience