Make a Cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex Fossil

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity, learners explore dinosaur fossils by making cast models of a T. rex. First, learners read about and research how dinosaur fossils form. Next, learners make impressions in clay using a T. rex tooth. Finally, learners use plaster of paris to make casts of a T. rex tooth or claw. Although this activity is written as a two-day lesson, it could be easily modified into a one-day lesson. However, the wet plaster must dry overnight. This activity is featured on pp. 31-32 of the "Dinosphere" unit of study for K-2 learners.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
4 to 24 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 8
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Rocks and Minerals
    • Earth's History
      • Geologic Time
      • Fossils
      • Dinosaurs
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Evolution
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Literature
  • Model Building
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 2004