Science NIE ACTIVITY Science Matters!
is a series presented in
MATTERS!
collaboration with the Connecticut Academy of
Science and Engineering.
For more information, visit www.ctcase.org
or call 860.571.7143.
… IN CONNECTICUT
By Andrew Bush, Associate Professor, Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology and Geosciences, UConn
PALEONTOLOGY
WORDS TO KNOW
AND MASS Paleontologist: A scientist who studies fossils to learn
about life on the ancient Earth.
EXTINCTION Brachiopod shell impression in
Devonian sandstone.
Extinct: Refers to a species that no longer has living members.
If you travelled back in time hundreds of millions of years, you might think you were on another
planet—the continents and oceans would be in different places and filled with unfamiliar animals Mass extinction: The loss of a large proportion of the Earth’s
and plants. Since we cannot go back in time, paleontologists explore this alien world by collecting species due to a dramatic environmental change.
and studying fossils – the preserved remains of ancient organisms. Fossils include bones, shells,
footprints, leaves, and other bits of evidence that were naturally buried at the bottom of ancient Brachiopod: A type of shelled animal that looks somewhat
rivers, lakes, and oceans. Collecting and analyzing the fossils of extinct organisms is exciting like a clam, but is not closely related. They were common in the
to a paleontologist. We have to figure out how these strange animals and plants lived, why they oceans until about 250 million years ago, when the Permian mass
thrived for a time, and why they died out. extinction killed most species. A few species are still alive today.
As a professor at UConn, I study mass extinctions – environmental catastrophes that killed off
huge numbers of species. Paleontologists have identified five extinctions in the past 500 million Placoderm: An extinct type of armored
years that were particularly destructive. Each extinction is named after the period of time in the fish that was common in the Devonian.
Earth’s history when it occurred: Ordovician, Late Devonian, Permian, Triassic and Cretaceous
(the dinosaurs). Studying fossils from these extinctions can help us understand why the species
died and what happens when large numbers of them are lost.
I study the Late Devonian extinction, which took place about 370 million years ago, long before
the time of the dinosaurs. The closest places to collect rocks and fossils from the Devonian Period
are in New York State and Pennsylvania; you can find them in many places where the bedrock Layers of Devonian rocks
is exposed along roadsides or in creek beds. Fossils of many sea creatures are common; some exposed in Tioga, PA.
familiar, like clams and snails, and others less so, like brachiopods and placoderms. The fossils
I study show that many species of brachiopods and corals died out in the Devonian extinction.
Paleontologists think that these species were killed by climate change, low oxygen levels in the
oceans, and/or increased acidity in the oceans. We are currently testing these possibilities.
Meet the Scientist
Skills and Knowledge: When I was a kid, I loved collecting rocks, digging around outside, reading about
dinosaurs, and going to museums. I started collecting fossil shark teeth along the
Most paleontologists have a solid foundation in science and math. Since fossils are the Chesapeake Bay, near where I grew up, and I still have a big jar of them. I wanted to
remains of living organisms preserved in rock, biology and earth science are key. Collecting be a paleontologist since I was little, although I discovered that there was a lot more
and identifying fossils requires patience and keen observational skills. Many paleontologists
to it than dinosaurs. My spare time now is spent with my kids, who like Legos and
travel frequently and spend a lot of time outdoors. Paleontologists attend graduate school
to earn a PhD. playing outside. I also like gardening and traveling.
Common Core State Standards (CCSS): Mathematics Helpful Hyperlinks:
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Connecticut State Department of Education: Science Framework
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. http:www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=320890
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics • Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena.
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• Scientific inquiry progresses through a continuous process of questioning, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically
• Scientific inquiry requires the sharing of findings and ideas for critical review by colleagues and other scientists.
