Bringing Fossils to the Elemtary Classroom

An outreach event focusing on paleontology for K-3 level students was held to establish interest in local geology and fossils and foster engagement and curiosity. Taking place in November 2025, we hosted 105 second grade students for the second time, at Crawford Woods Elementary School in Hamilton, Ohio. There were four (15-20 minute) stations, with one to two members each from Miami University focusing on local fossils, taphonomy, excavation, and 2nd graders favorite: dinosaurs. Station one was focused on fossil taphonomy. The students learned about how fossils were formed by rubbing pencils over locally collected leaves to create a leaf print. We discussed how fossils were formed from the time an animal dies to the time it is discovered by paleontologists and everything in between along with different types of preservation. At station two, Ordovician fossils were presented and passed around for a hands-on experience, with the goal to introduce students to ancient local fauna and the rocks right in their back yard. We discussed ancient life and what the Ordovician sea floor looked like 445 million years ago.  Station three was all about dinosaurs from the Mesozoic and included a class discussion about mosasaur ecology (diet) based on their teeth, which each student got to keep. Additionally, each student got to choose a toy dinosaur and a class discussion ensued on dinosaur names and ecology. Station 4, the students favorite, was a simulated archaeological dig. We purchased fossil dig blocks made of plaster of paris and each containing a fossil. Each student was given a block and a mini-excavation brush/shovel to search through their block for a real fossil inside. Once each student found their unique fossil an information card was provided and we discussed all about unique things they found. During the digging, a discussion on how fossils are excavated in the field was given and how it eventually becomes a fossil in a museum. Students got to bring home materials from almost all the stations and learn more about fossils and the possibilities in geoscience in an accessible way. Established relationships with the school, previous arrangements and purchasing of fossils, and carryover of college student experience made the event straightforward to put on.​

Materials for this event included fossil bricks with identification cards, dinosaur toy sand mosasaur teeth. Additionally leaves and Ordovician fossils collected by Miami University undergraduate students. To facilitate the event students were out in groups in rotation to ensure each kid got at least 15 minutes at each session. Session one was focused on fossil taphonomy. The students were given a short lesson on how fossils were formed and prompted to ask questions about what they already knew.  They made leave prints from the leaves collected. They were also shown some Ordovician stage fossils an undergraduate student found in her local area. The second station more fossils were presented from that same era, and children were prompted to observe them for a tactile experience. They were given an enriching discussion about how one could find fossils in one's own backyard or local creeks. Ancient life was discussed to show students what the sea floor looked like 445 million years ago. The third station utilized the mosasaur teeth, which were given to the students to be prompted to guess what they were given. Then students were taught about Mesozoic dinosaurs. Diet, referring to the mosasaurs was discussed and how their teeth helped them eat. This was also the station where students chose a dinosaur toy to take home. The fourth station's focal point was an archeological dig using the previously purchased fossil bricks. This station was the kids' favorite. Students learned about how fossils are collected in the real world and the process of excavation to being displayed in a museum. 

The hope for this project is to incite and encourage more geoscientific outreach. Particularly with younger audiences to give both University and Elementary school students an enriching experience. 

For photagraphy purposes, all minors' faces were blocked out to protect their privacy