Resource #V102381

Précis

This is a curriculum-based science resource that enables students to conduct a two-stage experiment: firstly to record the dimensions of an actual footprint cast; secondly to undertake a classroom experiment that determines an approximate mass of the animal. The resource highlights how force and pressure combined with geological states and the sedimentary preservation process results in a footprint from which a cast can reveal much about the weight, size and features of the footprint owner.

Contextual Summary

The resource links to dinosaurs found on the Isle of Wight specifically, ensuring relevance on the visit for students whilst ensuring the wider curricular relevance is maintained.

Curriculum Relevance

Science → Physics → Forces

Implementation

Teachers will need to prepare students for this two-stage task, by ensuring that they know what dimensions to record and how, when on-site at the Dinosaur Isle museum. This should take 10-20 minutes during the visit. The task can then be continued as an experiment back in the classroom.

Key Skills Practised

• Understanding how to calculate pressure from given force and area
• Debating and reasoning skills based on result
• Calculation of mass

Learning Opportunities

Pre-Visit

Preparation for the recording of information on the footprint.

On Site

Completion of the on-site section (step 1) of the resource/s linked to this document: Weigh a Dinosaur!

Post-Visit

Completion of the post-visit section (step 2) of the resource/s linked to this document: Weigh a Dinosaur!

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to understand the process of working out a mass from the cast of a dinosaur footprint. They will show understanding of how pressure from a given force and area can provide information about an entire animal?s physical characteristics. They will use debating and reasoning skills by looking at their results and considering variables or potential problems with the accuracy of their calculations.