Format
Part I: Introduction to Ice Ages and Historical Background: Students will engage in a discussion of glaciers and the historical development of the ice age concept. The geologist facilitating the program will ask and encourage questions.
Part II: The Evidence: Geologist leads identification of common surface rocks activity and sediment textures in the Great Lakes region and discussion of their significance to the Ice Age theory. Surface rocks and sediments Work Sheet 1 (Rock ID Key) Landforms Work Sheet 2 (Landforms of the Great Lakes Region): Discussion of the origin of moraines; followed by student exploration of landforms of the Great Lakes region and their bearing on the geologic - climate history. Ice Age history of your site: Discussion of the evidence relevant to the site of your school/community (Work Sheet 3)
Part III: Animal and Plant Fossils from Late Glacial Times
Response of plant and animal communities to climate change; Mastodons and other large animals (megafauna); Postglacial forest communities; Late glacial extinction theories; early human hunters; climate change – specimens from the Institute collection are featured.
Part IV: Program Summary – Climate Change – Q& A with geologist.
Objectives
Identify some of the common surface rocks and fossils in the Great Lakes region and local community.
Know how these rocks and fossils allow us to infer past earth processes and history.
Understand how local landforms and exotic rocks provide evidence for an Ice Age climate in the recent past.
Discuss the ideas concerning the late glacial extinction of large animals and how ecosystems respond to environmental change.
Realize the importance of the ice age in shaping the modern world, including the origin of the Great Lakes and natural resources in the local community.
Standards Alignment
National Standards
US National Science Curriculum Standards 5-8 Earth and Space Science
State Standards
Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations
E & MS: S.IP.04.11, 12; S.IP.05-.07.11,16; S.IA.05-.07.15; S.IA .04.12; S.RS.04.15, 18, 19 S.RS.05-.07.11-14; 17; E.ST.04.31 & 32; E.ES.07.11,12 & 42; E.SE.06.11,-14, 41;E.FE.07.11; E.ST.06.31, 41 & 42; L.EV.05.13 & 14; HS: E1.1D, E; E1.1i; E1.2B - 2E; E1.2h; E1.2i; E2.1A-C; E2.2A-C; E2.2f; E2.3A, E2.3d; E2.4A & B; E3.p1A E3.p1B; E3.p2A & B; E3.1A & B; E3.1d & e; E3.r3f; E4.p1A; E4.p2H; E4.p2I; E4.p3A - C; E4.1A - C; E4.2c; E5.p1B; E5.2A; E5.3C & D; E5.3f & g; E5.4A-C; E5.4e-j.