Expedition to the Archean
Assignment: Your team will be using a time machine to lead an expedition to the Archean at around 3.0
Billion years before present. To successfully complete this task, you will need to plan for the excursion.
You need to anticipate the conditions and look for evidence to answer some burning questions about this
portion of the Earth’s history. You should plan for the trip using published information that describes the
Archean.
Research questions
What do you want to find out? Why?
What evidence do you hope to collect? Why?
Where is the best place to discover the answer? Why?
Equipment
What equipment will you need for life support?
What equipment will you need for data collection?
Anticipated Conditions
Is there a place to land?
What is the temperature, weather, etc.?
What is the atmosphere composed of? Can you breathe?
Will there be any water? Will you be able to drink it?
What life or evidence of its presence do you expect to observe (or not observe)? Why?
Do you need to worry about infectious diseases? Why?
Group presentation
Create a short PowerPoint presentation (10 minutes) for the class describing your proposal. The
presentation should clearly state the goals of the mission and the resources you will take along and why.
You should include interesting visuals, and describe the sources of your information. Each group member
must participate in collecting the information and developing the presentation.
Resources
General Information on the Archaen
Textbook, Chapters
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/precambrian/precambrian.html
http://www.palaeos.com/Timescale/Precambrian.htm
http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/geology/legend/ages/precambrian.html
http://www.scotese.com/precambr.htm
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9117440/Precambrian-time
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/cambrian.html
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566496/Precambrian.html
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/grte/grte_geology/sec5.htm
Archean/Precambrian Life
http://geol.queensu.ca/museum/exhibits/dawnex.html
http://www.accessexcellence.org/BF/bf02/lipps/
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=study-suggests-clay-paved
First Life, Michael Russell, American Scientist, January-February 2006
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/48545
The Origin of Animal Body Plans, Douglas Erwin, James Valentine, David Jablonski, American
Scientist, March-April 1997
http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/39001
Images
http://www.prehistory.com/precambrian.htm
GRADING
total = 30 pts.
Group Participation _ participated in a meaningful way. (Your grade will be determined by taking the group
grade and multiplying it by this number. Each group member will be asked to assess your participation and
the average of those ratings will be used to determine this number.)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
Factual information - information is correct, referenced, understood.
incorrect,
missing
0
1
partially correct,
incomplete
not ref’d
2
3
4
mostly correct
correct
correct
incomplete
complete
inc. extras
poorly ref’d
ref’d
ref’d
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
comments:
Interpretation _ information presented is interpreted using principles discussed in class.
incorrect
mission fails
0
1
misunderstood,
mission in
great danger
2
3
4
mostly correct,
correct
insightful
mission safe mission safe mission safe
work at risk
work done
work excels
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
comments:
Presentation - informative, interesting, clear, good visuals
incorrect
unclear,
mission fails
incomplete
0
1
2
3
4
comments:
mostly clear,
clear
crystal clear
mostly complete complete
visuals excel
5
6
7
8
9
10
11