The Rise of Oxygen
Educator Resources for "The Rise of Oxygen"
For general information about using Science Bulletins in your classroom, refer to the Science Bulletins Educator's Guide.Exploring In-Depth
This story explores the relationships between the Earth, the atmosphere, and their impact on the beginnings of life on our planet. Use these questions to explore the conditions of early Earth, and the ways scientists are trying to learn more about the history of our planet.
- The Earth formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago. Do you think the atmosphere formed at the same time? Why or why not?
- When do you think the early atmosphere formed? How might it have formed?
- Why is sulfur so important in determining the age of oxygen?
- What did the planet look like before the appearance of oxygen?
- Is there a correlation between the rise of oxygen and life emerging from the water to populate the land?
Scientists must often look for indirect evidence of the phenomena they are studying. What are some the data being sought here, and how are they being used to tell the story of oxygen?
- There are no samples of the early atmosphere, so how do scientists learn about it?
- Why is the Huronian Supergroup formation of particular interest to scientists?
- What are some of the techniques used to learn more about the rock samples?
Related Links
- Life on Earth and Elsewhere
http://www.solstation.com/life.htm
Follow the time line beginning with the birth of our solar system to the beginnings of life on Earth, and read about how NASA scientists use data about Earth’s early evolution to study the possibilities of life elsewhere in the Universe. - The Evolution of the Cosmos
http://cmex-www.arc.nasa.gov/VikingCD/Puzzle/Prebiot.htm
How did the planets form? When did life evolve on Earth? Find out the answers to these questions plus much more on this fun to read site.
