Part 1: Penny Histograms Introduction to describing and assessing variability:

Part 2: Sorting, Identifying, & Interpreting Microvertebrate Fossils from the Late Cretaceous

Part 1: Penny Histograms/ Introduction to describing and assessing variability:

Major Concepts: • What is a significant difference?• Meaning of Mean, Median, & Mode• How to make & interpret histograms

Materials needed:• Graph paper & Colored pencils• Scales• 2 sets of 20 pennies 1983 or younger: composition = 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper • 1 set of pennies older than 1982: composition = (95% copper, 5% zinc)

Sample A Sample B Sample C2.66 2.50 3.222.64 2.58 3.172.69 2.69 3.232.51 2.65 3.142.62 2.66 3.232.37 2.40 3.002.46 2.19 2.812.29 2.47 2.902.32 2.42 2.972.48 2.40 3.072.46 2.38 3.062.37 2.38 2.912.46 2.41 3.052.47 2.33 3.062.37 2.32 2.982.49 2.45 3.062.44 2.40 2.992.50 2.33 3.022.42 2.49 2.95

Example of Weights for one set of Pennies (gm)

# ofSamples

Weight of Pennies (gm)

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3 3.1 3.2 3.30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Sample Set ASample Set BSample Set C

Distribution of the Weight of Penny Sets A, B, & C

Part 2: Sorting, Identifying, & Interpreting Microvertebrate Fossils from the Late

Cretaceous Hell Creek Fm. of NE Montana

In association with the D.I.G. Field SchoolUniv. Washington’s Burke Museum

Dr. Greg Wilson & Lauren Berg DeBey

Sorting, Identifying, & Interpreting Microvertebrate Fossils from the Late

Cretaceous Hell Creek Fm. of NE Montana

Scientific Goals: Examine root causes of K-Pg extinction by quantifying how the diversity of small vertebrates changed in the time period just before the asteroid impact (as marked by the iridium anomaly).

Educational Goals: Engage student interest while teaching them about how scientific research is conducted & informing them about basic geologic and biologic principles.

Length of exercise:Varies from 1 to 10 lab periods (with possible addition of extra time for

class project).

Martials Needed:

Unsorted Sediment (supplied by Burke Museum)

Hand lenses (but binocular scopes are also nice)

Container with sides to hold sediment (paper plates, specimen boxes, foram trays)

Fossil ID Guide (PDF available on DIG Field School website)

Sorting, Identifying, & Interpreting Microvertebrate Fossils from the Late

Cretaceous Hell Creek Fm. of NE Montana

For more info on lesson plans constructed for K-12 students see: http://digfieldschool.org.

For more info on expanded projects for 100- & 200-level classes, please see me.

For suggestions on ways to expand project for 100- & 200-level classes, pretty please see me.