Overview of Activity

Students use pre-marked paper strips that simulate tree ring patterns to explore how data about past climate change can be gathered without direct observations.

Grade Level: 6 to 8

Difficulty: Beginner

Activity Type: In Class
URL:http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_2_2_11t.htm
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_2_2_11s.htm
Amount of Time Required for Activity: Two 45-minute periods

Description
Students are provided with a set of four paper strips with pre-marked tree cores from four different trees. They align the four samples so that the rings match. Students then answer a set of questions about the life span of the trees, good and bad growth years, and the length of the climate record they have constructed.

This activity is presented by the Univeristy Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Relation to the Science Standards
Middle School
Content Standard C - Structure of the Earth System
Content Standard C - Populations and Ecosystems

Related Part of the Exhibit
Past Change

Additional Related Links
Link to strips for the students to print and cut out. http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_2_2_11strips.htm

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