Big numbers in science
In this activity, students investigate the use of big numbers, such as millions and billions, throughout the Science Learning Hub. They encounter ways to understand what these big numbers mean.
New Zealand geological timescale
Dr James Crampton explains that all geologists need to know the age of the rocks they work with. At GNS Science, important research continues to make the New Zealand geological timescale more precise. This includes working out the detailed evolutionary sequences of fossils and the use of radiometric dating. Deep-sea rock cores provide information not available on land.
Point of interest: In this clip, you can see James ‘preparing out’ some fossil molluscs with a small drill and an optical microscope. He is revealing the fossils within the rock so they might be better identified and studied
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
recognise big numbers and the different ways they are written
understand what these big numbers mean, at least in terms of their magnitude
realise how widespread the use of big numbers is in science
use the Science Learning Hub as an online research resource.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background
what you need
what to do
discussion questions
student worksheets.
Nature of science
There are several accepted ways of writing big numbers in science, so scientists need to be able to work with them all.
