Format
1. Classroom tabletop fossil dig conducted!
2. Enter UNSM’S Elephant Hall - the land of prehistoric pachyderms!
3. Introduce the science of paleontology and the definition and importance of a fossil
4. Students share their dig finds and predictions.
5. Students use dichotomous key process to “find” their mystery fossil within the museum
6. Students learn how paleontologists use teeth to unravel clues about found fossils.
7. Each dig box group discovers the museum displayed elephant owner of their mystery fossil and confirm (or not) their habitat and climate predictions. We will work with the….
a) MAMMOTH–the world’s largest mounted mammoth, “Archie”, a 30,000 year old Columbian Mammoth;
b) MASTODON – first arriving in the great plains area over 2 million years ago, we’ll look at our 20,000 year old specimen;
c) STEGOMASTODON – this is a 3 million year old Savanna living elephant;
d) GOMPHOTHERE –an 12.5 million year old Giant Long-Jawed Tusker.
8. Possible discussion about extinction.
9. Question and Answers all along the way!
Objectives
The participants will:
- Be actively introduced to the science of Paleontology;
- Experience the process of collecting fossils;
- Practice the inquiry process skills of observation and questioning;
- Engage in discussion and develop an enriched understanding on how paleontology helps us to better understand our natural world.
Standards Alignment
National Standards
A full listing of National Science Standards, Next Generation Standards, and Common Core Standards can be found on our website listing:
http://museum.unl.edu/virtualfieldtrips/elephantsinbackyard.html
State Standards
A full listing of Nebraska Science Standards can be found on our website:
http://museum.unl.edu/virtualfieldtrips/elephantsinbackyard.html