Format
1. Introduction to the Cherish Nebraska Gallery where we will be doing our exploration.
2. We will discuss the different parts of skull and their function.
3. Next, as we take notes, we will examine several different modern animal skulls, both within the gallery exhibits and held within the educator’s hands, to see how they are different in their structure and function.
4. After that, we will use our notes and apply our knowledge of skulls by trying to identify characteristics of fossil animals.
5. We will talk about how paleontologists identify fossilized remains. Animals we will explore include an ancient bear dog, oreodonts, rodents, horses, and the amazing barbourofelius.
6. We will finish with a short question and answer period.
Objectives
Participants will:
- - explore the structure of skulls and how those structures are related to function.
- compare and contrast the skulls of different modern and ancient animals
- learn what paleontologists can tell about an ancient animal by examining its skull
- apply their new knowledge within the tour.
Standards Alignment
National Standards
3-LS4-1 Analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago.
4-LS1-1 Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
State Standards
Nebraska College and Career Ready Standards for Science:
SC.3.7.2.B Analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and environments in which they lived long ago.
SC.4.6.3.B Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.