The Search For Life
Initial Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Summary
Travel back in geologic time in this online learning experience. Explore some of the major historical events of Earth in an attempt to understand the search for life among other planets in the universe. This is a 4-part series that includes: Stories in Rock, Extinction Story, The Story of Complex Animals, and Earliest Stories. Topics include radiometric dating, relative age dating, fossils, extinction, dinosaurs, mammals, multicellular organisms, dichotomous keys, cyanobacteria, and photosynthesis.
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Context
Audience
This is aligned with middle school science standards but could be used from late elementary through high school.
![[creative commons]](/images/creativecommons_16.png)
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Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Students should be familiar with the photosynthesis, the rock cycle, natural selection, and adaptation.
How the activity is situated in the course
This is a stand-alone activity.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Learning Outcome #1: Explain how scientists piece together the story of life from the fossil record.
Learning Outcome #2: Construct an argument that explains the significance of the K-Pg boundary and the evidence contained in Hell Creek that demonstrates the significance of this boundary.
Learning Outcome #3: Construct an explanation for what evidence points to the existence of stromatolites in North Pole Dome, Australia and how they are significant in the story of life on Earth.
Learning Outcome #2: Construct an argument that explains the significance of the K-Pg boundary and the evidence contained in Hell Creek that demonstrates the significance of this boundary.
Learning Outcome #3: Construct an explanation for what evidence points to the existence of stromatolites in North Pole Dome, Australia and how they are significant in the story of life on Earth.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Learners construct an argument about the constraints and limitations regarding the search for life in the universe using evidence from Earth's rock record.
Other skills goals for this activity
Identifying patterns
Description and Teaching Materials
This activity, along with lesson plans, NGSS alignment documents, and student worksheets can be accessed at Infiniscope.org. Infiniscope is a NASA-funded project out of the Center for Education Through eXploration at Arizona State University. They build adaptive digital learning experiences for K-12 education that engage learners in virtual environments and bring Earth and space science to life.
Teaching Notes and Tips
In order to save progress, teachers can create a free account and enroll their students.
The educator resources on Infiniscope.org include teacher tips, misconception alerts, and suggestions for implementation.
The educator resources on Infiniscope.org include teacher tips, misconception alerts, and suggestions for implementation.
Assessment
Assessments are embedded in the digital learning experience and the provided worksheets (keys included). To access digital assessments, teachers would need to create a free account and enroll their students prior to starting the experience.
References and Resources
https://community.infiniscope.org/
Infiniscope members have access to a community where they can ask questions and get support on implementation.
Infiniscope members have access to a community where they can ask questions and get support on implementation.