Dinosaur Skull and Body Length Predictions

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In this activity (located on page 2 of PDF under GPS: Baby Dinosaurs Activity), learners will look for a relationship between skull size and body length among various dinosaurs. Starting from a list of dinosaur measurements, learners will compare dinosaur sizes to common objects and create a chart that plots body length against skull length to see if the data predicts other dinosaurs' length from skull size. Relates to the linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Baby Dinosaurs.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • a dinosaur measurement chart (page 2 of PDF)
  • a metric tape measure (10 meter)
  • access to household items ranging in size from 10 cm to 2 meters
  • paper
  • pencils

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth's History
      • Archeology
      • Fossils
      • Dinosaurs
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
      • Probability
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
    • Representation
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2007

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 610429