Petrified Forest Nat'l Park
Anchor Question - How do we, as Paleontologist, discover what the world looked like millions of years ago?
Welcome to Triassic Park!
“Scientists working at Petrified Forest Nat’l Park know what the world looked like 200 million years ago during the Triassic Period. How can they do this? Are the time travelers? In a way, they actually are, and you can be too!”
"Today, we're going to use scientific tools and investigation techniques just like the ones scientists use, and we’ll work together to get an idea of what the earth looked in 200 million years ago!”
"Let's get started!"
First, let's take a virtual hike and explore what the landscape of Eastern Arizona looks like today!
Directions: Download a copy of the Virtual Visit Guide to take with you on your virtual hike!
Explore both of these Virtual Hikes and while you hike, fill out Box #1
"Now, let's look at what Eastern Arizona looked like over 200 million years..."
Look at each of the images below and fill out Box#2 on your Virtual Visit Guide
“Wow! Those pictures were amazing! But how on earth can scientists know what the earth looked like over 200 million years ago?”
"That's a great question! Let's see what our friends think!"
Record your guess in Box #3
“Most of us know what we do about the Triassic period thanks to the science of paleontology. People who study this science, called paleontologists, study evidence of life from long ago to learn about how the world has and life on it has changed!”
“Well then let’s be paleontologists too! Let’s look at some fossils from the Triassic Period and see if they can tell us what the world was like 200 million years ago!”
Directions - Look at the following fossil galleries and record our observations in Box #4
Directions - Based on everything you have seen, describe the what Eastern Arizona looked like during the Triassic period in Box #5 of your Virtual Visit guide.
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