Fossil Research Project

 

You have done the first part of this project already; you have excavated your “fossil dig”!   Archeologist and Paleontologists perform this same process with very similar tools but this isn’t where the job ends.  You are going to research these fossils and identify them as well as there environment, surrounding life forms and time frame they existed.  This will be in the form of a research paper with data sheets.  The guideline for the information involved is included on this paper as well as the grade scale.  Please take this seriously as this will be a test grade.

10% = four fossils identified correctly and specifically

·        Include color drawing of each fossil with identification

·        Remember….WHITE PAPER and no INK PEN WONDER!

10% = time frame of existence for each fossil identified

·        Era, period, etc….

10% = climate of the fossils habitat discussed completely

·        This is for all four fossils; they may be different from each other so be careful!

10% = what present day land mass or body of water would these fossils

be found in

10% = what would the rock record be surrounding these fossils

·        Is this an index fossil? (you might want to check with other groups!)

10% = discuss how the Law of Superposition and factors involved in this Law could apply to one of your fossils

10% = imagine that these fossils were found in a dig here in North Carolina;  What processes could have brought them to you and why?

10% = compare each of your fossils with a life form from today; make sure they are similar such as plant to plant, mollusk to mollusk, etc.

·        What are their similarities

·        What are their differences

10% = if you could find 4 other fossils, matching your original fossils time frame, what could they be (this is your choice….just make sure they correlate to your time frames)

10% = if you could what scientific process could be used to accurately date your fossil and why

100% total

 

A = all points covered completely

B = 8 points covered completely

C = 6 points covered completely

D = 5 points covered completely