The Geologic Time Scale

Lab Brief #10

🎯 Your mission

Learn the rule. Then catch nature using it.

⚡ The twist

Weather isn't random — it's just complicated.

What you'll learn

The geologic time scale divides Earth's 4.6-billion-year history into eons, eras, and periods. Scientists mark the boundaries using major events like mass extinctions and the appearance of new life forms recorded in the rocks.

Key words

tectonic plates
The giant slabs of rock that make up Earth's surface.
erosion
When wind or water slowly carries away rocks and soil.

Make a hypothesis first

Before you observe: what shape will it leave?

Say your guess out loud — then find out if you were right.

Step 1 of 4 · Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 of 4 · Do

Create a timeline of Earth's history on a 5-meter strip of paper. Place major events (first life, dinosaurs, ice ages, humans) at the correct scale.

Step 3 of 4 · Observe

Observe what happens and describe it in detail.

Step 4 of 4 · Record

Record your observations in your science journal with measurements and descriptions.

Question 1 of 3

What type of rock forms from cooled magma?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 3

What type of rock forms from compressed sediment?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 3 of 3

Which type of rock forms under heat and pressure?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Mind = blown

🌊 The deepest part of the ocean is deeper than Mount Everest is tall.

Nice work!

You got 0 of 3 right.

Next: Evidence for a Changing Climate All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Experiment

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✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this in real life: Today's weather, tomorrow's beach, next century's coastline — all this.

🏆 Stretch challenge (try it this week): Look at the sky for 5 minutes and try to predict tomorrow's weather.

👨‍👩‍👧 For the dinner table: “What's the slowest change you can think of?”

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