Finding Fossils
Source Institutions
-
Twin Cities Public Television
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This activity (located on page 4 of the PDF) is a full inquiry investigation to determine the age of fossils based on where they are discovered. Groups of learners will dig for fossils embedded in a cake of multiple layers, carefully excavating each stratum and eventually preparing a chart from their notes for discussion with the group. The two main lessons from this exercise are that fossils from different layers come from different eras and that multiple interpretations of incomplete fossil evidence are possible. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Baby Dinosaurs.
- 4 to 24 hours
- 1 to 2 hours
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model, Simulation
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- a stratigraphy model (constructed out of layers of sheet cake, or from layers of craft Styrofoam)
- objects to "bury" in the model (coins, rocks, other small artifacts)
- plastic "tools" (knife, fork, tweezers)
- trays
- small tubs for collection dishes
- poster board
- markers
- tape
Subjects
- Earth and Space Science
- Earth Structure
- Rocks and Minerals
- Earth's History
- Archeology
- Geologic Time
- Fossils
- Dinosaurs
- History of Life
- Earth Structure
- Life Sciences
- Evolution
- History of Life
- Evolution
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
- The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Food and Cooking
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Source Collection:
- DragonflyTV
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., ©2007
Funding Source:
- National Science Foundation, 610429
