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A Revision of Historical Geology

Delve into the revised course on historical geology at Western New Mexico University, focusing on the geologic principles and the history of Earth. The course aims to bridge the gap between principles and Earth's history, emphasizing that science is backed by evidence and Earth's evolution is recorded in sedimentary archives. Significant events like the Solar nebula formation, appearance of life, and major extinctions are covered, along with topics on plate tectonics and evolution. The course includes engaging activities like Google Earth exercises and evolution labs to enhance student comprehension and interest in the subject.

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A Revision of Historical Geology

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  1. A Revision of Historical Geology Vicki Harder Mary Dowse Department of Natural Sciences Western New Mexico University

  2. Current Approach Geologic Principles History of Earth Western New Mexico University

  3. The Problem Students frequently don’t make the connection between the principles and history. Western New Mexico University

  4. Big Ideas & Understandings Science is based on evidence. Western New Mexico University

  5. Big Ideas & Understandings Science is based on evidence. Earth has a long history. Western New Mexico University

  6. Big Ideas & Understandings Science is based on evidence. Earth has a long history. Earth has changed through time. Western New Mexico University

  7. Big Ideas & Understandings Science is based on evidence. Earth has a long history. Earth has changed through time. The history of Earth is recorded in the sedimentary archives. Western New Mexico University

  8. Significant Events Formation of the Earth Solar nebula Differentiation of the Earth Atmosphere and oceans Meteorite bombardment Western New Mexico University

  9. Significant Events Appearance of Life Archean environment Nature of early life Prokaryote to eukaryote Western New Mexico University

  10. Significant Events Snowball Earth Oxygenation of the atmosphere Rodinia Cambrian explosion Trilobites and brachiopods Western New Mexico University

  11. Significant Events Leaving the water Formation of Pangea Permian extinction Dinosaurs, ammonites, and flowers Cordilleran evolution Western New Mexico University

  12. Significant Events K-Pg extinction Evolution of mammals Evolution of hominids Pleistocene glaciation Western New Mexico University

  13. Science is based on evidence! Earth has a long history! How do we know? Lots has happened! Potential for great change How do we know? Evidence? How do we know? Earth has changed! Significant Events Observations History is in the sediment Evidence? Rocks tell a story Western New Mexico University

  14. Revised Course Outline Introduction to Class Introduction to HG Reading the Rocks Precambrian: Archean Life Precambrian: Proteorzoic Geologic Time Plate Tectonics Paleozoic Era Mesozoic Era Extinctions Cenozoic Era Western New Mexico University

  15. Revised Course Outline Introduction to Class NEW: Google Earth exercise, measure from where they work or live to the department. REVISED: Superposition exercise to cover the scientific method. Western New Mexico University

  16. Revised Course Outline Introduction to Historical Geology NEW: Reference Letter REVISED: Geologic time scale activities Reading the Rocks: moved lithofacies exercise from Paleozoic. Western New Mexico University

  17. Revised Course Outline Precambrian: Archean NEW: Meteorite impacts NEW: Chaos Life NEW: Evolution lab Western New Mexico University

  18. Revised Course Outline Precambrian: Proterozoic NEW: miniGEEBITT NEW: Timeline (this was done for each era) Plate Tectonics REVISED: Sea floor spreading activity converted to Google Earth exercise Western New Mexico University

  19. Revised Course Outline Paleozoic Era NEW: Cayuga Lake Basin correlation of outcrops NEW: Biostratigraphy Extinctions NEW: Mass extinction—needs revision Western New Mexico University

  20. Revised Course Outline Cenozoic Era NEW: Evolution of the Horse NEW: Cenozoic climate analysis Western New Mexico University

  21. Conclusions Student comprehension seemed to improve. There was an emphasis on evolution but no complaints. The activities were interesting to the students and instructor. Won’t go back to the old method. Western New Mexico University

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