Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the basics of fossils, including how they are formed and what they can tell us about Earth's history.
Materials and Prep
- Pen and paper
- A computer or tablet with internet access
- Optional: Any fossils or pictures of fossils you may have
Activities
Research and Report: Choose a specific type of fossil that interests you (e.g., dinosaur bones, ammonites, trilobites). Use the internet or books to gather information about the fossil. Write a short report summarizing what you learned, including how it was formed and any interesting facts about it.
Fossil Excavation: Pretend you are a paleontologist and create your own fossil excavation site. Take a small container and fill it with sand or dirt. Bury small objects, like shells or plastic dinosaurs, in the container. Use a brush or toothbrush to carefully uncover the "fossils" and observe them.
Fossil Timeline: Create a timeline of Earth's history, highlighting major events and the appearance of different types of organisms. Include the formation of fossils as an important event. Use drawings or pictures to make it visually appealing.
Talking Points
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that lived long ago.
They are formed through a process called fossilization, which occurs when the remains are buried in sediment and undergo mineralization over millions of years.
Fossils provide valuable clues about Earth's history, including the types of organisms that lived in the past, their environments, and how they evolved over time.
Some common types of fossils include bones, teeth, shells, imprints, and petrified wood.
Fossils can be found in different types of rocks, such as sedimentary rocks, where layers of sediment build up over time.
Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils to learn more about prehistoric life and the history of the Earth.