Actvity Summary: Students will be able to analyze foraminifera data to describe patterns in climate fluctuations throughout Earth’s history.


This lesson focuses on the use of data to study how Earth’s climate has changed over time. Students use foraminifera species sampled from JR Expedition 342 to determine the age of the sediment and the climate conditions during the sample ages. This lesson could be used as part of a unit on geologic history and the types of evidence that can be studied to understand how Earth has changed over time.

This lesson has been revised and updated based on How Do Scientists Conduct Research on Ancient Environments?

authors: Alyssa Weisenstein and Lindsay Mossa

  • Standard B: Science as inquiry
  • Standard E: Earth and space science

  • Patterns

  • Analyzing and interpreting data

  • ESS2.A Earth materials and systems