TOPIC: DINOSAURS
LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced
"Building a Flying Dinosaur"
[information |
preparation |
activity ]
- SCIENCE CONCEPT:
-
The structure of a flying dinosaur is different from
bats and birds, yet effective at flight.
- STUDENT OBJECTIVE:
-
The students will build a flying dinosaur using
dinosaur bones and a quick-drying plaster cement.
- OVERVIEW:
-
The students will work as a team to build a flying dinosaur,
demonstrating the power of flight among the dinosaur species. It was a
very unique time in our earth history - when dinosaurs roamed both the
earth and the skies.
- TEACHER TEXT:
-
Pterodactyls, meaning "winged finger", were a part of the
broader classification known as Pterosaurs which means "winged lizard".
Pterodactyls were referred to as a "winged finger" flyers because of the
construction of the wings. Their wings were different than either birds
or bats, yet seemingly effective at flight. The inner portion of the
wing was formed by the arm and forearm as in birds and bats, but the
outer portion was formed by one finger with the other three fingers in
the middle front of the wing. Pterosaurs broadly covers all of the
varieties of flying dinosaurs.
The Pterosaurs existed from near the beginning of the age
of dinosaurs (late Triassic - 220 million years ago) to the end of the
age of dinosaurs (late Cretaceous - 63 million years ago). This means
that the pterosaurs lived in and dominated the skies for about 157
million years. They were in the air for more than twice as long as they
have been gone!
PREPARATION TIME: 30 minutes
LESSON TIME: One to two hours depending upon how many bones you have in
the construction of the dinosaur.
TEACHER PREP:
-
Gather materials for the construction of the flying
dinosaur. Local hobby stores and/or local museums may have model dinosaur
bones for sale.
(Remember that the scale of the dinosaur can be reduced greatly in the
construction by the students).
WORDS TO KNOW:
- Pterosaur
- Pterodactyls
- forearm
- Triassic
- Cretaceous
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- dinosaur bones
- quick-drying plaster cement
- pictures of flying dinosaurs - their skeleton frame especially
- large pieces tissue paper
- STEPS TO FOLLOW:
-
1. Review with the class the pictures of the flying dinosaurs and their
skeletal frame.
-
2. Have the students make a drawing of the skeletal frame of the flying
dinosaur before they begin construction.
-
3. Choose from the bones you have which ones will be used in which part
of the construction. Be creative and use your imagination where you
don't have enough bones.
-
4. Set up an area in the classroom where the students will be free to
work.
-
5. Team the students up into pairs to work on the various sections of
the dinosaur. Discuss with the students the importance of cooperation on
this project.
-
6. Allow the dinosaur frame to dry sufficiently before covering with a
tissue paper covering to give the dimension of the completed dinosaur.
This is an optional step.
- WHY?
-
In constructing the skeletal frame of the flying dinosaur
the students will gain a great appreciation of this species. With a
hands on experience of the shape of the dinosaur the students will see
for themselves how the shape of the dinosaur determined its ability to
fly.
- ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?
-
4....Student is able to communicate 4 different aspects of how the
structure of the flying dinosaur afforded him the ability to fly.
-
3....Student is able to communicate 3 different aspects of how the
structure of the flying dinosaur afforded him the ability to fly.
-
2....Student is able to communicate 2 different aspects of how the
structure of the flying dinosaur afforded him the ability to fly.
-
1....Student is able to communicate at least one aspect of how the
structure of the flying dinosaur afforded him the ability to fly.