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March 14, 2005
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Paleontology
Students Excavate Possible Dinosaur Remains in Oak Park Young scientists gather for an expedition photo near a site with many questions to be answered. © Oak Park Journal photo The Students in this story are currently studying dinosaurs in their 2nd grade class in District 97. They have already assembled cut out dinosaur bone models and put them together. They have worked with 3d models and puzzles, read many books, learned about the varied dinosaurs who had once roamed the earth, and hatched a new curiosity with all the new facts. While playing outside, someone noted a pattern cast (or frozen) in the sand. The rest follows.... Mann School Students Debate Possible Fossil Find . . . some remain skeptical Second graders are studying dinosaurs in reading and science now. Then, when digging in the school sandbox, they came across a large hard object. It wasn't a log, was it . . . could it be . . . a fossil? Students carefully worked on excavation at lunch and recess. Younger students asked them about it . . . older students tried to debunk the find. Second graders tried to answer the questions and wondered if the older children were just jealous! When asked about why the fossil wasn't found before the second graders said that fossils are still forming all around the world, so why not here at Mann School.  Their excavation yields a form similar to ones they have studied. © Oak Park Journal photo In class the students poured through dinosaur books . . . "it's a flat bone so it could be a hip bone of something big." Could it be the frill of a triceratops, some wondered? Others thought the frill might not have been bone and so might not have fossilized. They looked for a hadrosaur skeleton picture, because those have been found in Illinois in the past. Some students found something that reminded them of seaweed near the fossil. Perhaps it is a water-loving dinosaur. Most students thought that it was probably an already named dinosaur. This started a whole discussion on if it is a new dinosaur the choices on how to choose a name. "We could name it for Mann School or Oak Park." "We could use all of our names." "That might get too long, we could try to make a word from our initials." New dinosaurs are named for people, places or special characteristics.  During recess, play becomes use of the scientific method. © Oak Park Journal photo One student asked "If it is a dinosaur fossil, can we give it to a museum and get a plaque with our names on it?" Another student thought that they should give it to the teacher so she could show it to all of the students in the future. Someone else suggested that we open a museum here at school . . . students from all over the world could come see it but it would still be here all the time for us to study. The discussion turned to next steps . . . how can we get it out? Someone suggested bringing tools to school, shovels, hammers, etc. Others were concerned about keeping the fossil safe, suggesting toothbrushes and plastic shovels. Teachers concerned about safety suggested eye protection! Someone worried that it would be crowded because everyone wanted to help and get their name on the plaque. They decided that their homework would be to think about how to share the work so everyone who wanted to help would get a chance, yet not hurt the fossil.  These students return the next day to the excavation, bringing old tooth brushes (or at least their siblings tooth brushes) to carefully remove debris from the speciman. © Oak Park Journal photo I have to admit that some children remained skeptical . . . a fossil here? It couldn't just form overnight. Can we pour water on it to make sure it isn't just hard mud. It is softer than some thought it should be, harder than others thought it should be. Can we contact an expert? The debate remained civilized. Time will tell. |
