Ancient Australian Animals

Australia has a long fossil history with some dating back over 3 billion years ago. There are many ancient animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Explore key fossil site across Australia to discover more about these amazing animals.  This video conference is presented in collaboration with Australian Environmental Education. (Note: ZOOM platform only) (Image: Karen Player)

Year Levels: 3 – 6

Duration: 1 hour

STEM in a box:

No.

Background Information: 

This session will look at what fossils are and how they are made.  There are many different fossil sites in Australia:

• Shark Bay WA                   Stromatolites               3 billion years ago
• Ediacaran SA                     Early life                       570 million years ago
• Canowindra NSW            Armour plated fish      360 million years ago
• Strzeleki Ranges Vic        Australian Dino           115 million years ago
• Winton Qld                        Australian Dino           110 million years ago
• Lightening Ridge NSW   Early Mammals            110 million years ago
• Dinosaur Cove Vic           Australian Dino            106 million years ago
• Riversleigh Qld                 Megafauna                     18 million years ago
• Naracoorte Caves SA       Megafauna                     300,000 years ago

Prior Knowledge:

No prior knowledge is required.

Learning Intentions:

In this program students will:

• learn about classifications of vertebrates and non-living things
• identify and compare the adaptive features of ancient Australian animals

Activities:

In this video conference students will:

• look at real fossils
• cover geological time scale
• explore fossil sites across Australia
• interact with the presenter live from Australian Environmental Education

Victorian Curriculum:

Biological Science – Science understanding

• Living thing can be grouped on the basis for observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things VCSSU057

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