Discovering Dinosaurs: Adventures in Paleontology (Fossils, Fun + Hands-On STEM)

🦖 Calling all dino lovers!! 🦕

Designed especially for young paleontologists ages 4-7, this five-week interactive course takes students on a prehistoric adventure, exploring dinosaurs, fossils, and the Mesozoic Era through engaging hands-on activities that meet early science learning standards.

Each week, students will discover a new aspect of the prehistoric world—from the work of paleontologists to the mighty dinosaurs of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Through stories, movement activities, drawing, building, video clips, and games, students will develop foundational STEM skills in science, math, and critical thinking, all while having fun and fueling their curiosity!

🌍 Weekly Breakdown: What We’ll Explore!
📅 Week 1: Intro to Paleontology 🦴
What is a paleontologist? How do we study dinosaurs?
Learn how fossils form and what they tell us about the past!

📅 Week 2: Prehistoric Carnivores & Herbivores 🥩🌿
Discover how scientists classify dinosaurs based on their diets.
Compare herbivores vs. carnivores, bipeds vs. quadrupeds, and more!

📅 Week 3: Dinosaur Timeline: The Mesozoic Era & Triassic Period ⏳
Explore how dinosaurs first appeared and evolved in the Triassic.
Learn about early dinosaurs and their prehistoric environment.

📅 Week 4: Dinosaurs of the Jurassic Period 🌿🦕
Meet famous Jurassic dinosaurs like Brachiosaurus and Allosaurus.
Discover how Jurassic dinosaurs grew larger and adapted to their world.

📅 Week 5: Dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Period 🦖
Explore the last dinosaurs before extinction, including T. rex and Triceratops.
Learn about the changing Earth and the end of the dinosaur age.

✨ What to Expect Each Week:
✔️ Exciting dinosaur-themed lessons (fun slides, videos, and visuals)
✔️ Hands-on activities (drawing, sculpting, movement, and building)
✔️ Paleontology basics, including fossils, timelines, and extinction
✔️ Interactive vocabulary building (herbivore, theropod, Cretaceous, etc.)
✔️ Social learning opportunities through discussion and sharing

This age-appropriate, engaging format ensures that even the youngest learners can grasp key science concepts while exploring their love for dinosaurs in a fun, supportive environment!

This course aligns with National Science Standards (NGSS) and supports foundational science and math concepts through hands-on exploration.