Earth didn't always have oxygen, so what caused the change that allows humans to live here? Learn about the change in O2 levels throughout geological history through an interactive graph. Each section offers greater detail on the changes in the environment and in life based on the oxygen levels.

Concepts

oxygen, evolution, geologic history, the atmosphere

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Discuss anaerobic versus aerobic environments and the plants and animals that thrive in each

Classroom Considerations

• Requires Chrome version 9+, Firefox version 9+, Safari version 5+, or Internet Explorer version 9+
• Relies on prior knowledge of reading and interpreting graphs, geologic history, and oxygen

Pros

• Links to short educational videos for most topics
• Provides topics to debate based on the evidence

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4