Dinosaur Locomotion

STEMLinc Video Conferencing: How did dinosaurs move and how fast did they move?   Unlock the physiology of modern animal gaits and ancient trackways to build our understanding of how ancient creatures navigated their environments. (Image credit: Julius Csotonyi)

Year Level: 5 – 6

Duration: 1 hour

STEM in a box: 

No

Background information: The skeletons of dinosaurs, particularly large-bodied, enigmatic forms are awe inspiring and have been brought ‘back-to-life’ in numerous animated and motion picture productions. But how did these animals really stand and move in life and how rigorously can scientists reconstruct their locomotion? In recent years, traditional approaches, such as morphological comparisons and limb bone scaling, have been combined with new computational modelling methods to provide rich insight into dinosaur locomotion and how it may have changed during the group’s long evolutionary history.

Prior Knowledge:

No prior knowledge is required.

Learning Intentions:

In this program students will:

• Engage with key STEM topics, ideas and challenges
• Develop questioning, listening and communication skills
• Unlock the mysteries associated with dinosaur locomotion through limb and bone scaling
• Calculate movement speed through investigation of trackways

Activities:

In this video conference students will:

• Explore differences in animal skeletons and compare bone proportions
• Compare film clips showing the gaits of modern day animals to help understand how ancient animals moved
• Use ancient trackway patterns and fossils to assist in predicting how various dinosaurs moved and how fast they moved
• Use a mathematical formula to calculate speed of movement

Victorian Curriculum:

Science – Biology

• Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment(VCSSU074)

Science: Planning and conducting

• With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general rules (VCSIS082)

Science: Analysing and evaluating

• Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (VCSIS086)

IMPORTANT:  Cancellation Policy

1. 1. When you book you will receive an automated message from Eventbrite.  Save this carefully please.
   2. Any cancellations need to be received in time for STEMLinc to re-sell your tickets to other teachers.
   3. Please use the Eventbrite confirmation email to facilitate any cancellation of your booking.  That will automatically release your ticket for re-sale on our system.

BOOKINGS OPENING SOON FOR EARLY TERM 4!