The History of Life on Earth
The History of Life on Earth was a new course offering during the 2009 Summer Residential Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. The class explored the basic principles and theories in biology, including evolution, systematics, and relationships among living and fossil animals, and explored the similarities in body structure for vertebrates. They also studied geology, including geologic time, earth history, and plate tectonics. Discussions included the basics of how rocks and minerals are formed and how the surface of the Earth changes over time. A large part of the class focused on the evolutionary history of life, with special emphasis on the Dinosauria. There were field trips to the Virginia Museum of Natural History, as well as excursions into the field to see rocks and fossils firsthand.
The History of Life on Earth class explores the realms of geology and paleontology with a special emphasis on evolution. During the first week of class, students learn about basic rock and mineral identification, as well as the cycles that rocks and minerals go through through time. Students also learn about the origin of the Earth and the moon, as well as the Geologic time scale. Eons, eras, periods, and sometimes epochs are learned and quizzed upon throughout the course. By the second week, Dr. Haiar delves into lectures on the different eras and the animals the inhabited the earth during them. From trilobites to dinosaurs to birds, students explore their way through time and evolution, being exposed to an entirely new world previously unknown to them.
Our class in particular (Summer 2009) had quite a bit of fun. In the beginning of each class, we played an ice breaker game to get to know each other. Sometimes we told stories, other times we played a game. After the ice breaker we listened to a lecture and sometimes did an activity. There was only one project, and that was to design a new case for the various rocks and minerals on display. We split into two groups and both came up with good ideas. The winning idea is on display now in Hobbs.
Field Trips Galore could be an alternative name for this class. We went to the Natural Bridge, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the college lake (to hike), and the Appalachian Trail (to collect fossils). Each trip had was a unique learning experience. Many people loved Natural Bridge with its massive size and beauty, while others called the fossil collecting trip their favorite. Regardless of favorites, everyone found new insight into the Earth and mankind's beginnings, and everyone found fascination in the life of a paleontologist.
