Fossil Explorers Camp: Dinosaurs, Ancient Sea Creatures, and Ice Age Mammals
This four day class will introduce paleontology, the different types of fossils, dinosaur classification, the Megalodon shark and other ancient sea creatures, plus ice age mammals and extinct birds. Create art projects & science experiments
Amalia Fernand, M.S. Nature/Earth Science
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,109)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 2 - 4
Discover how fossils are formed and what the five main types of fossils are. Investigate examples of trace, cast, mold, and true-form fossils while the teacher shares her fossil collection. Find out what megalodon teeth, ancient sea creatures, fossilized scat, and dinosaur bone fragments look like. Make air dry clay or salt dough mold and trace fossils during the first class. Learners will play fossil guessing games to identify specimens, conduct simple science experiments and watch educational slideshows. They will be introduced to the geologic time scale while making ice age mammal and dinosaur crafts and a variety of at home science and art activities will be provided. The teacher will share her experiences volunteering with paleontologists in Madagascar to excavate dinosaur bones and searching for sharks teeth in Florida. Students may enjoy having a magnifying glass, fossils, and fossil books on hand during class, At the beginning of each class, there will be an opportunity for introductions, sharing, and guided discussion. Learners may bring items to class to share related to fossils such as fossils, rocks, books, pictures, dinosaur toys, fossil dig kits, etc. Please limit sharing to one to three items per person, per day. Day 1: Paleontology and the Types of Fossils Day 2: Dinosaurs Day 3: Ancient Sharks and Sea Creatures Day 4: Ice Age Mammals and Extinct Birds The following Nature Explorers animals may occasionally make live appearances: Scaly: the Corn Snake Slimy: the Tiger Salamander Lizzie: The Leopard Gecko PLEASE NOTE: Classes may run up to five minutes over the scheduled time depending on learner discussion and questions.
Learning Goals
Learn how fossils form, the types of fossils, the classification of dinosaurs, and facts about ancient sea creatures, ice age mammals, and extinct birds.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Scissors are needed for the recommended optional craft projects and parental guidance is required for the use of scissors.
Supply List
A variety of optional craft projects will be provided for before, during, or after class. Learners may choose the project that is the right fit for them depending on interest and available supplies. Please check the classroom for detailed instructions about each project. Print-outs will be attached to classroom posts. MOLD AND TRACE FOSSILS Materials: ~Air dry clay, modeling clay, or make your own sand or salt dough ~Small plastic dinosaurs or animals Optional addition: Plaster of Paris or white glue FOSSIL WORKSHEET Materials: ~printed pdf "Types of Fossils Worksheet" ~scissors ~glue-stick ~coloring utensils DINOSAUR STICK PUPPETS Materials: ~printed pdf of multiple dinosaurs ~scissors ~coloring utensils ~popsicle sticks (alternative: straws, chopsticks, plastic spoons) ~white glue or glue gun DINOSAUR BOOK Materials: ~printed dinosaur sheets ~stapler ~construction paper DINOSAUR POSTER Materials: ~printed dinosaur sheets of your choice ~large construction paper or poster-board (alternative: recycled cereal box). ~coloring utensils ~glue-stick ~scissors ANCIENT SEA CREATURE MAGNET FISHING GAME Materials: ~Yarn or some sort of string ~A magnet (the stronger, the better) ~Paper-clips (alternative: key ring, safety pin) ~A stick ~Printed pdf. "Ancient Sea Creature Fishing Game," or cut your own out of craft foam, poster board, or cereal box cardboard . ~Markers Optional: googly eyes, sequins, glitter, etc. ANCIENT SEA CREATURE BINGO ~Printed Bingo card and somethin to mark your spaces (small stones, pennies, checkers, paperclips, etc.) OR generate a card at this link: https://bingobaker.com#ec776110ee704b29 PLEISTOCENE POSTER Materials: ~large construction paper (alternative: poster board, recycled cardboard, eg: cereal box) ~coloring utensils ~scissors ~glue-stick ~printed pdf. "Ice Age Mammals Poster" Optional: stapler EXTINCT MAMMALS AND BIRDS BOOK Materials: ~printed pdf. "Extinct Mammals and Birds Book" ~coloring utensils ~stapler or brads (paper fasteners) Optional: construction paper
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined April, 2020
4.9
1109reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am offering this class because I am passionate about teaching Earth science. I have experience volunteering with paleontologists excavating dinosaur bones in Madagascar, and have had a lifelong passion for geology, ever since I was growing up in the Rocky Mountains and won my third grade science fair project with a rock cycle experiment! Reviews
Live Group Class
$56
for 4 classes4x per week, 1 week
45 min
Completed by 52 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-10
4-12 learners per class
