K-State Research and Extensions
You Ol’ Fossil
Geologists are gneiss, tuff, and a little bit wacke. The fifth chapter of seven includes ten activities at four different levels. The hands-on activities cover fossils including how they are formed, vertebrates, invertebrates,...
American Museum of Natural History
Fossils
Sixteen slides showcase an average day on the job for a paleontologist, Ross MacPhee. Engaging images include world maps and real-world photographs from an archeological dig in Antarctica. A brief description accompanies each slide.
American Museum of Natural History
Finding Fossils
How does one go about finding fossils? Find out with an informative webpage that looks at the digging process, showcases rocks and common fossils, helpful tips, and a list of archeological do's and don'ts.
American Museum of Natural History
What Do You Know About PaleontOLogy?
Believe it or not, some dinosaurs are not extinct. Discover this and other interesting facts about dinosaurs in a 10-question online quiz. As individuals answer questions, the resource provides them with feedback and additional facts...
Science Friday
Fossil Detectives
What can this rock be? Pupils pretend to be paleontologists by sketching fossils and making predictions about their types. To determine whether they can identify the type of dinosaur, class members compare their observations and...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Using the Scientific Process to Study Human Evolution
Did humans and dinosaurs coexist? How do we know? Scholars dig in to the tools and methods researchers used to study the process of human evolution by watching a slideshow with embedded video clips. Pupils learn the importance of asking...
Channel Islands Film
Island Rotation: Lesson Plan 4
Foster's Rule? Allopatric speciation? After watching West of the West's documentary Island Rotation, class members use Venn diagrams to compare endemic species on the Channel Islands with mainland related species. They then create a...
Channel Islands Film
Arlington Springs Man: Lesson Plan 2
West of the West's documentary Arlington Springs Man and a two-page scientific article about the same topic provide the text for a reading comprehension exercise that asks individuals to craft a one page summary of information gathered...
Virginia Department of Education
Evidence of Evolution
What an impression fossils make! In this activity, aspiring paleontologists view fossils and construct a timeline to further understand how the lack of natural adaptation caused historical organisms to become extinct. While they should...
Lerner Publishing
Meet the Dinosaurs
Take your class of youngsters on a prehistoric adventure with this four-lesson series on dinosaurs. Accompanying the Meet the Dinosaurs books by Don Lessem, these lessons engage children in writing their own dinosaur books, making...
Curated OER
Lesson 1 - What Are Fossils?
Students define and research fossils. In this fossil lesson, students access teacher assigned Internet sites to examine images of fossils. They determine the definition of a fossil and find out how fossils are formed. They also define a...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Fossils
Seven hands-on lessons module where students learn about fossils. These inquiry-based investigations explore how fossils form, properties of fossils, comparing fossils, how they show the age of the Earth, and what paleontologists do.
Other
Fossil Facts and Finds
A site devoted to fossils! Click on any of the main topics to access information regarding what fossils are, how they are formed, fossil collecting, student activities, fossil hunting, and even lesson plans.
Untamed Science
Untamed Science: Biology: Evolution: How to Become a Fossil
Learn about what a fossil is, the different types that scientists use for study, and processes that form them. [2:57]
Other
Black Hills Institute of Geological Research: All About Fossils
The Black Hills Institute of Geological Research is a world-renowned center for paleontology. Here they describe in clear language how fossils are formed and preserved, and what information they give us about the past, particularly in...
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum: Fossil Formation
As part of a larger online exhibit on fossils and what fossils are, this site specifically deals with the formation of fossils. A six-step, detailed chart is provided with specific information explaining each step.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Fossil Fondue
To understand how fossils are formed, students model the process of fossilization by making fossils using small toy figures and melted chocolate. They extend their knowledge to the many ways that engineers aid in the study of fossils,...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Mineral Replacement in Fossil Formation
Activity demonstrates two ways fossils are formed.
BBC
Bbc: Conditions for Fossil Formation
This interactive animation allows you to try different areas to see how suitable they are for fossil formation.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How to Fossilize Yourself
Phoebe A. Cohen details the steps your body must take to find future fame as a fossil. [5:30]
Burke Museum
Burke Museum: Marine Fossils
"Marine fossils and their living relatives" is part of a larger site dedicated to the research and collection information of the Burke Museum on Paleontology.
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas: Modeling Petrified Wood [Pdf]
An experiment that models the natural process of petrification.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Fossil Formation
Learn how fossils are created.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Types of Fossilization
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Five methods that create fossils.