Reading Climate Change from Fossil Leaves

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Introduction

National Middle School Science Standards

Earth Science, Life Science

Key Terms

paleobotany, climate change, fossil leaves, fossil record, PETM, Cretaceous period

Key Concepts

Global climate change over time
Interpreting ecosystem changes through fossils
Plants as climate indicators
Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Technology used by paleobotanists

Resource Types

Videos and Webcasts

Paleobotany – Climate Change Past and Present with Smithsonian Paleobotanist Scott Wing on Smithsonian Science How
Webinar: Fossil Leaves and Ancient Atmospheres with Smithsonian Paleobotanist Rich Barclay
Webinar: Using Fossil Plants and Pollen to Understand Earth's Climate History with Palynologist Vera Korasidis
Time: It’s Like, So Deep Smithsonian Science Education Center
Scott Wing discusses Ancient Thermal Warming and What it Portends for the Future Smithsonian Insider
Prehistoric Climate Change: Doing the Math Smithsonian Education.

Printable Lessons

Prehistoric Climate Change and Why it Matters Today Smithsonian Education

Posters and Worksheets

Fossil Evidence and Evolution HHMI Biointeractive

Online Activities

Featured Collection: Fossil Leaves and Evidence of Insect Damage Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)
Fossil Atmospheres NMNH
Prehistoric Climate Change and Why it Matters Today Smithsonian Education
Paleoclimate: A History of Change Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Science Literacy Resources

High School Level

Old Fossil Collections Slowly Give up Their Secrets Digging the Fossil Record: Smithsonian Paleobiology
Global Climate Change in Perspective Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Ancient Earth Warmed Dramatically After a One-Two Carbon Punch Smithsonian Magazine
Wyoming Paleontology: Dispatches from the Field by Scott Wing Smithsonian Magazine
On the Road in Wyoming: The Secretary's Travel Journey Smithsonian Torch

Advanced Reading Level

Studying the Climate of the Past Is Essential for Preparing for Today’s Rapidly Changing Climate Smithsonian Magazine
Evolution of Earliest Horses Driven by Climate Change Smithsonian Education

Subject Guides

Botany & Horticulture Subject Guide Smithsonian Libraries

Paleontology Subject Guide Smithsonian Libraries

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

The Climate Change from Fossil Leaves teaching resources support students in meeting the following middle school NGSS Performance Expectations.

Earth Science

MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity

MS-ESS3-5 Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.

Life Science

MS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

MS-LS4-1 Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.
MS-LS4-2 Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.
MS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals' probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.
MS-LS4-6 Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time

Resource Type

Subject Guides

Grade Level

6-8

Learning Standards

Next Generation Science Standards

Topics

Earth Science, Life Science, Paleontology

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