____________________________________
Name
METRIC-ASAURUS INVESTIGATION
Patti Martin & Sandra West
ENGAGEMENT:
1. Observe the Dinosaur Valley State Park Booklet and projected picture from
the computer. Is anyone familiar with this State Park?
2. Observe the display of a Texas Highway Map. Notice the location of Glen
Rose, San Marcos and Blanco, Texas.
3. Observe the Texas Geological Highway Map and identify any similarities between
the locations of the three towns.
4. Explain Mesozoic, Cretaceous distribution of Glen Rose limestone.
5. Explain discovery of tracks. Use computer slides: Ariel view of Paluxy River, track
way and artist concept of evidence.
6. Show and explain samples of Coprolite and Gizzard Stones.
EXPLORATION 1:
PURPOSE: To estimate and collect metric measurements of length and mass for
four British Museum dinosaur models.
MATERIALS:
Metric tape, metric ruler, balance, 500 & 1000 g counter mass, 4 dinosaur
models/group of 4 students
PROCEDURE:
1. Use the attached dinosaur drawings to determine the names of your four
dinosaurs models and record in the data table below.
2. Use the metric tape to measure the length (follow along the backbone of each
model from the tip of tail to tip of nose) of each dinosaur model. Record in
cm, correct to the precision level of your metric tape, on the data table below.
Be sure to estimate each distance using your hand before you actually
measure. (Be sure you know how to use your hand to estimate dm, cm and
mm.) This allows you to check for reasonableness of your measurements.
3. Use the metric ruler to measure the length and width of the feet (front and
back) for each dinosaur model. Record in cm, correct to the precision level of
the metric ruler, on the data table below. Estimate each distance before
measuring.
4. Use the balance to measure the mass of each dinosaur. Record in grams,
correct to the precision level of your balance, on the data table below.
OBSERVATIONS:
Observation Table 1:
1
2
3
4
Dinosaur Name
Body Length (cm) Est./Act.
Front Foot Length (cm) Est./Act.
Front Foot Width (cm) Est./Act.
Back Foot Length (cm) Est./Act.
Back Foot Width (cm) Est./Act.
Mass (g) Est./Act.
EXPLANATION:
1. Explain the use of your hand in estimating. (Helps determine reasonableness.)
dm = ________________ cm = ________________
mm = ____________
2. Copies and transparency of Geologic Time Line. Explain below how to read
Geologic Timeline.
3. Show picture of Glen Rose Stair step topography. Describe observable characteristics
below.
4. Show Texas Geologic Highway Map (expanse of Cretaceous). Describe the
boundaries of these deposits Glen Rose limestone.
5. Show book Roadside Geology of Texas and transparency of map to the Blanco River
dinosaur tracks..
6. Show picture of Blanco River showing erosion of upper Cretaceous beds to expose
the Glen Rose limestone in the bed of the river.
7. Show slides of Blanco dinosaur tracks.
8. Show slides pouring plaster cast of dinosaur track.
EXPLORATION 2:
PURPOSE: To use the dinosaur models to predict the length of the actual
dinosaur that made this footprint in the bed of the Blanco River.
MATERIALS: Metric tap, plaster cast of Blanco River dinosaur tracks.
PROCEDURE:
1. Decide what data you will need to solve the question.
2. Draw Observation Table II below and fill in the information you will use to solve
the problem.
3. Solve for the length of the actual dinosaur in meters. Show all of your work.
OBSERVATIONS:
Table 2
SHOW ALL WORK BELOW.
EVALUATION:
1. What is the length of the actual dinosaur?
2. Why is it more appropriate to report length of the real dinosaur in meters?
3. How would you find the shoulder height of the real dinosaur?
4. Could you determine the mass of the real dinosaur? Any problems?
ELABORATION: Teacher Explains how a Teacher (not student) makes a
plaster cast and footprint carpets
1. Explain how to make the plaster cast. (Small brush, Pam, wires, Plaster)
2. Explain how to make the dinosaur footprint carpets. (Laminated poster board with
Dinosaur information in one side, Indoor/Outdoor carpet, carpet knife, carpet glue)
3. Explain how to make a model from the cast.
4. Explain how to use the Triceratops model to pour a dinosaur footprint.