Museum Kits

Introduce the science of paleontology, the scientist, and the process of collecting fossils.

Unifying Concepts and Processes: 4.1.2, 8.1.2

Science as Inquiry: 4.2.1, 5.2.1, 8.2.1

Earth Science: 4.5.1, 8.5.2

History and Nature of Science: 4.8.1, 8.5.1, 8.8.1, 8.8.2

Contents:

Occlusal (chewing surface) tooth casts:

Small fossils (in 4 containers - 1 for each dig box)

Medium fossils (in 4 containers - 1 for each dig box)

Fossil Identification Guides: Boxes 1-4

4 'Dig boxes'

1 Discovery! Story

12 Strainers

12 Glasses

12 Spoons

12 Magnifiers

Dig Site Report Sheet

4 Nebraska Fossil Elephant Teeth posters

4 Modern Animal Guides

Four tooth casts:

Fossil Check-In Guide

Museum Notes Preserving Vertebrate Fossils: Notes from the Laboratory

Museum Notes Fossil Elephant Teeth in Nebraska

Identify rock formations in Nebraska where fossil elephants have been found. Discover clues to past environments and geologic history in these rocks. Identify adaptations that allowed elephants to survive in different habitats. Explore the time periods when ancient elephants lived.

Unifying Concepts and Processes: 4.1.2, 8.1.2

Science as Inquiry: 4.2.1, 8.2.1

Life Science: 4.4.3, 8.4.4, 8.4.5

Earth Science: 4.5.1, 8.5.2

Contents:

1 Zap to the Past! Story

Geologic Bed Rock Map of Nebraska

Key to Four of Nebraska's Sedimentary Deposits

Activity 2 Data Sheet

Part 1: What Rocks Beneath You:

Part 2: Survival:

Part 3: It's Time to Get in Line:

Compare and contrast the chewing surfaces of different types of elephant teeth and identify possible food sources. Discover how teeth and tusks grow throughout an elephant's life.

Nebraska Science Standards:

Unifying Concepts and Processes: 4.1.2, 8.1.2

Science as Inquiry: 4.2.1, 8.2.1

Life Science: 4.4.1, 4.4.3, 8.4.4, 8.4.5

Earth Science: 4.5.1, 8.5.2

Contents:

1 What Big Teeth You Have! Story

Activity 3 Data Sheet

Station 1: Tooth Job Description:

Station 2: Conveyor Belt:

Station 3: What's for Lunch? (Teeth and Diet):

Station 4: Tusks:

Activity Summary: Stegomastodon Mystery (6-8th grade only):

Investigate modern elephant behavior to interpret prehistoric elephants found in the fossil record.

Nebraska Science Standards:

Unifying Concepts and Processes: 4.1.2, 8.1.2

Science as Inquiry: 4.2.1, 8.2.1

Life Science: 4.4.1, 8.4.3

History and Nature of Science: 4.8.1, 8.8.1, 8.8.2

Contents:

1 Clash of the Mammoths! Story

Activity 4 Data Sheet

Behaviors page

Clash of the Mammoths DVD

Elephant Behavior Reference sheet

Scientist's Interpretation of Elephant Behavior

Nature: Echo of the Elephants DVD

Introduce modern elephants and investigate their adaptations and habitats. Discover the factors that threaten elephant survival today.

Nebraska Science Standards:

Life Science: 4.4.1, 4.4.3, 8.4.4, 8.4.5

Contents:

1 Cousins of Today Story

Zoobooks: Elephants

Part 1: Meet the Modern Elephants:

Part 2: Plight of the Elephants (4-5th grade only):

Part 2: Doom & Gloom (6-8th grade only):