Analyzing Tree Rings
in Subject: Environmental Science, Biology, Science, Algebra I, Mathematics
Key Term: Forests, Correlated to Standards, Botany
Level: General
Resource Type: Activities/Lesson Plans
Topic: Biodiversity, Water, Climate
Key Term: Forests, Correlated to Standards, Botany
Level: General
Resource Type: Activities/Lesson Plans
Topic: Biodiversity, Water, Climate
In this lesson plan students become dendrochronologists - tree ring scientists. The lesson introduces Methuselah, an ancient bristlecone pine that has lived more than 4,600 years. Students learn how scientists determine the age of living and non-living trees through a hands-on activity comparing paper versions of tree rings with each other. Tree rings vary in thickness due to water availability in a growing season. This lesson can easily link up with both climate and water lessons.
This lesson is correlated to National Science content standards.
