Objective: 

Students will analyze fossil record data to identify patterns of life’s diversity, extinction, and evolution over time, while exploring how data can be represented in multiple ways.

Materials Needed: 

• Printed fossil record charts

• Graph paper

• Colored pencils

• Rulers

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students review the fossil record and how it provides evidence of life forms evolving over time. 

  • Explain that today students will analyze this data to identify patterns in the diversity and complexity of life, extinction events, and the appearance of different organisms over time. 

  • Introduce the concept of representing data in multiple ways—just as computers use binary to store data, but present it in visual formats like graphs or charts.

• Group Activity: 

  • In pairs, students will analyze printed fossil record charts that show the timeline of major life forms and extinction events. 

  • They will use the data to create their own graphs on graph paper, visually representing the increase and decrease in the diversity of life over time. 

  • Each group will represent the same data in two ways: as a line graph (showing the diversity over time) and as a bar chart (showing major extinction events). 

  • This will help students see how the same data can reveal different patterns depending on the type of visualization.

• Discussion: 

  • After completing their graphs, groups will present their findings and explain the patterns they observed. 

  • Lead a discussion on how data representation changes our understanding, much like how computers store data as binary but present it in different forms for easier interpretation.

Equity and Access: 

Provide pre-labeled axes for students who may need additional support in graphing, and pair students with diverse strengths to encourage peer collaboration.

Real-World Application: 

Connect this activity to modern data analysis techniques, such as how scientists today use software to analyze and visually represent fossil data to study evolutionary patterns and make new discoveries.

CS Practice(s):

• Communicating about Computing: Students explain how their graphs represent the same data and discuss how each visualization highlights different patterns.

Standard(s):

• CA NGSS MS-LS4-1

• CA CS 6-8.DA.8

• CA CS 6-8.DA.9

Objective: 

Students will use Tinkercad to design and compare 3D models of fossil organisms and modern organisms, applying their understanding of anatomical similarities to infer evolutionary relationships.

Materials Needed: 

• Computers with Tinkercad installed or online access

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students review the concept of evolutionary relationships and how similarities and differences in anatomical structures between modern and fossil organisms help us understand these relationships. 

  • Introduce Tinkercad as a tool students will use to visualize these structures in 3D, helping them compare the gross appearance of anatomical features.

• Plugged Activity: 

  • Students will work in pairs to design 3D models of two organisms using Tinkercad—one from the fossil record and one modern organism. 

  • After building their models, they will analyze the similarities and differences in key anatomical features (e.g., bone structures, skull shapes) to infer evolutionary relationships. 

  • They will also represent the same data in multiple ways by comparing 3D models, 2D diagrams, and a written summary of their findings.

• Discussion: 

  • After the activity, students will present their 3D models and explain the anatomical similarities and differences they observed. 

  • Lead a discussion on how their 3D models provide a more detailed view of evolutionary relationships compared to traditional diagrams, much like how computers can display the same data in different ways for better understanding.

Equity and Access: 

Provide starter templates in Tinkercad for students needing extra support with 3D modeling, and pair students with varying skill levels in using technology to encourage collaboration.

Real-World Application: 

Connect the activity to the use of 3D modeling in fields like paleontology and medicine, where comparing anatomical structures helps scientists make inferences about evolutionary history and diagnose medical conditions.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students use Tinkercad to design 3D models that represent anatomical structures, showcasing how computational tools help visualize and analyze evolutionary data.

Standard(s):

• CA NGSS MS-LS4-2

• CA CS 6-8.DA.8

• CA CS 6-8.DA.9