Activity Description
Overview
Students examine fossil evidence from the bird/dinosaur lineage and hypothesize where along that lineage flight evolved.
- Designed for group of up to 5 students each
- Grades 3-8 or Ages 8-14
- Activity should take 20 minutes to complete
Summary
Students work together using fossil evidence to explore how features of powered flight evolved over time. They make observations of features across 5 different dinosaurs/birds and use those observations to make hypotheses about where on the lineage powered flight evolved. In the process they explore how features that served non-flight purposes when they first appeared, were co-opted to aid in flight (exaptations).
Download Materials to Use in Your Classroom
You can print and play this activity using a basic color printer and a laminator, or you can choose to produce something a bit more durable and high fidelity with off-the shelf purchases, 3D printer, and custom print shop. Find instructions for each option below.
It is advised that no more than 5 students engage in the activity at a time. Multiple copies may be necessary to have an entire classroom divide into groups that do the activity at the same time.
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Have feedback or questions about this activity? Please e-mail popsonc@si.edu.
