Ever Changing Earth

A Continental Puzzle

Far Flung Fossils

Alfred Wegener...

was a meteorologist (a scientist who studies the weather) who lived from 1880-1930. While studying maps of the continents he began to form a hypothesis, which led him to study more than just weather. His studies took him around the world as he investigated the history of fossils on each of the continents.

Today...

you will follow in the footsteps of Alfred Wegener and form your own hypothesis.

MS-ESS2-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales.

Learning Targets

  • Students will analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks and continental shapes to provide evidence of the past plate motions.
  • Students will state a claim, supported by evidence and reasoning about the origins of the continents.

Success Criteria

  • I have made a prediction about Alfred Wegener’s hypothesis regarding the continents.
  • I have collected and analyzed data about the various plants and animals found on the different continents.
  • I have stated a claim supported by evidence and reasoning about the origin of the continents.

Roles

  • Organizer, Materials Manager/Technician, Time Keeper, Checker, Reader

Procedures

  1. Copy the data table found at this link ➡️ data table.
  2. Use the pictures found here ➡️ Far Flung Fossil Pics to identify and record the names of the organisms that are on each continent at the different eras
    • Blue - Present Day
    • Green - 100 MYA
    • Orange - 200 MYA
    • Red - 300 MYA
  3. Look for similarities and differences between the different continents at different times.
  4. Open Google Earth and locate each of the 5 different continents from the Far Flung Fossils activity.
  5. Once again, look for similarities and differences between the different continents.
  6. On the back of your data table, write your own hypothesis about the continents. Use observations that you made while investigating the fossils as well as from Google Earth.

Try it out!

  1. Try to put the Continent Cutouts together the way Alfred Wegener might have.

Share

As a team, develop a theory about the continents based on the data you collected.

Choose a representative from your team to visit the other teams and describe your theory. Use the following questions to guide your conversation:

  • How do their ideas compare to yours?
  • What questions do you have?
  • Can you combine any of your ideas? A + B = C

Go back to your team and discuss what you have learned from the other teams. Modify your theory if you think it is necessary.

Pangea Cutouts.pdf
Far Flung Fossils - Slideshow