Some resources from federal government sites are currently unavailable; when possible, we’ve provided alternative non-government links to ensure continued data access.

Timeline: How Long Ago Was The Last Glacial Maximum?

Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution |Published on: August 15, 2024

Activity - Outdoors

K2345

Synopsis

In this activity, students will use a rope to represent time over the last 20,000 years, discussing the last glacial maximum and measuring 20,000 years on the timeline using a scale of one inch for every ten years.
The background information is for New York State, but this activity is widely applicable.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Science, Social Studies

Authors: Paleontological Research Institution

Region: Global, New York

Languages: English

View Resource

Teaching Materials

Positives

This activity is a hands-on way of exploring timelines and scales that kinesthetic learners will love.
The instructions have excellent suggestions for extending learning, including all students, and adapting the activity.

Prerequisites

Teachers will need 60 yards of rope and a space big enough to accommodate the rope.
Students will need to know how to measure half-inches and inches.

Differentiation & Implementation

The resource includes a few math extensions for older students to calculate based on the scale of the timeline.
After discussing the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, students can further explore the impact of climate change on glacial melting, sea level rise, and the albedo effect.
To practice creative writing, students can write a narrative to describe what the earth was like 20,000 years ago based on what they already know.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Paleontological Research Institution

Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a national leader in Earth systems science education. They strive to help make sense of the present and potential future climate change, while also increasing understanding of global change in Earth’s past. Their programs focus on systems thinking, understanding scale and learning in your own backyard.

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.