Fossil Dig

Warning!-Adult supervision: choking hazards, liquids and powders not for consumption. Mask and gloves provided.

Materials

· Sand toy kit

· Mask

· Gloves

· Plaster of Paris

· Play sand

· Water (not included)

· Two cookie cutters

· Toothpicks

· Plastic beads

· Glass beads

· Magnifying glass kit

· Paintbrush

Procedure

*WARNING: ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED. A mask must be worn at all times when handling plaster of Paris powder. Gloves must be worn at all times when handling wet plaster. Mask and gloves provided.

1. Pour the plaster of Paris and play sand into the sand bucket. Use the handle from one of the sand tools to mix the two.

2. Add about 2-3 tablespoons while stirring the mixture. The consistency should be wet and moldable, but not runny or pourable.

3. Place the cookie cutters on a tray, counter, or other flat surface. Scoop the mixture into the cookie cutters and use the tools to flatten the mixture until the cookie cutters are about half full.

4. Using the toothpicks and beads, create the bone structure of your animals on top of the mixture. These will be your “fossils”.  When you’re finished, fill the cookie cutters with the remaining mixture. Allow 30 minutes to dry.

5. When the mixture is dry and hardened, pick up the cookie cutters and press on the shapes to remove them.

6. Use your magnifying glass and tool to break apart the sand and recover your fossils! The paintbrush can be used to brush away pieces of sand and dust.

Science Behind it!

A paleontologist is a type of scientist who uncovers fossils from animals that lived millions of years ago. Fossils form when animal remains are buried for a long time and preserved in rock. You just recreated this! Paleontologists use special tools such as hammers, chisels, and brushes to break rocks and uncover fossils. We can learn a lot about animals that lived long before humans by studying these fossils, so it is very important to be careful and patient while uncovering them!

Fossils can also tell us what types of environments existed on Earth during its extensive history, because each type of animal requires specific conditions to survive. What else can we learn from fossils?