Fossil Forensics

STEMLINC Video Conference:  Interacting with a real palaeontologist, your students will form forensic teams and explore the clues found at one of four designated ‘dig’ sites.   Drawing on available forensic evidence each team will hypothesise a storyboard solution to their site’s mystery.  (Note: ZOOM platform only) 

Year Levels: 4-5

Duration: 60 minutes

STEM in a box: Yes

Background Information: 

There is a difference between fact and speculation. Unfortunately, even scientists can sometimes fail to make the distinction. This is especially true within palaeontology.  Palaeontologists sometimes develop interesting, exciting theories that can lack supporting evidence, or are even contradicted by available evidence.  There are many such historic examples of creative claims made about fossil discoveries.   In this video conference, palaeontologist Amber-Rose Faith takes students on an informed journey chasing fossils and deciphering trails of acceptable ancient evidence.  Your students will make their own hypotheses about an event that happened millions of years ago.

Prior Knowledge:

Teachers are asked to prepare students for the lesson by introducing essential vocabulary provided at this link: Fossil Forensics Vocabulary

Learning Intentions:

In this program students will:

• explore engaging visual representations of paleontological clues
• understand how environmental factors can impact fossil preservation and interpretation
• apply available evidence to solve an ancient forensic mystery

Activities:

In this video conference students will:

• engage with an expert palaeontologist from the University of Queensland
• apply new knowledge to the interpretation of specific forensic clues
• interpret basic graphical data
• develop a storyboard to track events in their final hypotheses

Victorian Curriculum (2):

Year 4

Science – Use and influence of science

• scientific knowledge, skills and data can be used by people to explain how they will meet a need or solve a problemVC2S4H02

Science – Biological Science

• living things have characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things and things that were once living, including fossils VC2S4U01

  Science – Planning and conducting

• scientific investigations to answer questions or test predictions can be planned and conducted using provided scaffolds, including identifying the attributes of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment VC2S4I02

Year 5

Science – Use and influence of Science 

• scientific knowledge, skills and data can be used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions VC2S6H02

Science – Biological Science 

• organisms have evolved over time, as seen in fossils and scientific records; the structural features and behaviours of living organisms enable them to thrive in their environments VC2S6U02
• habitats can be described by their physical conditions; changing the physical conditions of a habitat, including by human activity, may affect the growth and survival of organisms VC2S6U01

IMPORTANT:  Cancellation Policy

1. When you book you will receive an automated message from Eventbrite.  Save this carefully please.
2. Any cancellations need to be received in time for STEMLinc to re-sell your tickets to other teachers.
3. Please use the Eventbrite confirmation email to facilitate any cancellation of your booking.  That will automatically release your ticket for re-sale on our system.
4. Schools who cancel tickets for this internationally provided event (giving Ecolinc less than 2 weeks notification) will incur a $100 cancellation fee.