prehistoric gallery - past, present and future (science)
DESCRIPTION
Equipment required (not provided): Plain A4 paper Pencils Clipboards This activity enables your students to explore how life has changed on earth over the last billion years and to use the specimens in the gallery as inspiration for what they think fossils will look like in the future. Follow the instructions below to explore the gallery and its contents with your students. (Booking Essential)TRANSCRIPT
‘Open Door, Explore’ Self-Programmed Wednesdays at
The Manchester Museum
Prehistoric Gallery – KS4
(Booking Essential)
This activity enables your students to explore how life has changed on earth over the last
billion years and to use the specimens in the gallery as inspiration for what they think fossils will look like in the future.
The prehistoric gallery on the ground floor uses our fantastic collection of fossils to show
how life has changed over the last 1 billion years. It allows students to investigate what life was like during different time periods.
Follow the instructions below to explore the gallery and its contents with your students.
1. Allow your students to independently explore the gallery for approx 7 minutes so
they can see how life has changed on earth over the last billion years. 2. Using what they can see about life in the past, challenge your students to
hypothesise or predict (also using their imagination) what they think life may look like in the next million years.
3. Instruct your students to draw a labelled sketch of their ‘future creature’ to
illustrate their ideas. Emphasise that it could be an animal, bird, insect or plant, so students should use their imaginations and just get thinking! Allow 10 minutes for
this activity. 4. Explain that fossils are a record and evidence of life that existed at a certain time
on earth. Ask them will our life and the animals that live on earth in 2011 leave any fossils or evidence of behind that will still be visible in thousands or millions of
years in the future? What would they look like? Lead a short discussion. 5. Instruct your students to work in small groups (2-3 people) to create a drawing of a
fossil from 2011. Draw the fossil with labels and explanations describing the features of their 2011 fossil.
6. Students can present their ideas back to the rest of the class if you wish, depending on time.
Equipment required (not provided): Plain A4 paper
Pencils Clipboards
Have you remembered to book your ‘Open Door, Explore’ Self Programmed activities with our Bookings Officer on 0161 275 2630? You can also request to use our lunch room for your group. Risk Assessments are available on the website. Also, please check for any suggested materials that you may need to bring with you on the day.