Fossil-Making Activity Preparation

In this video tutorial, Eric Archer and Ty Cook from Texas Instruments demonstrate a fun and educational classroom activity on making fossils. The process involves using plaster of Paris and repurposed milk cartons to create fossil imprints. The tutorial covers the necessary materials, preparation steps, mixing techniques, and imprinting methods. It also provides tips for achieving the right consistency and ensuring a successful fossil-making experience. The activity is designed to help students understand the geologic time scale and the formation of fossils in a hands-on manner.

What is the primary purpose of studying fossils in relation to the geologic time scale?

• To identify mineral resources

• To predict future geological events

• To learn about the history of life on Earth

• To understand the current climate

What is the first step in preparing for the fossil-making activity?

• Mixing plaster of Paris

• Collecting milk cartons

• Choosing seashells for imprints

• Adding water to the mixture

Why is it important to add water slowly to the plaster of Paris mixture?

• To prevent the mixture from becoming too hard

• To ensure the mixture remains dry

• To make the mixture more colorful

• To avoid creating a soupy mixture

What consistency should the plaster of Paris mixture resemble for optimal fossil creation?

• A dry powder

• A watery soup

• A well-blended milkshake

• A thick paste

What is a key consideration when choosing seashells for making imprints?

• The weight of the seashell

• The ease of removing the seashell from the mixture

• The size of the seashell

• The color of the seashell

What should be done to the seashell before making an imprint to ensure easy removal?

• Coat it with vegetable oil

• Paint it with acrylic paint

• Wrap it in plastic

• Freeze it overnight

How long should you typically wait before removing the fossil from the mixture?

• 1 to 2 minutes

• 5 to 15 minutes

• 30 to 45 minutes

• 1 to 2 hours

What is a creative way to make a trace fossil at home?

• Using a toy car

• Using a leaf from the yard

• Using a plastic bottle

• Using a footprint

What is the benefit of writing names on the milk cartons during the activity?

• To decorate the cartons

• To identify ownership of the fossils

• To track the amount of plaster used

• To label the type of seashell used

What is a recommended tool for removing seashells from the plaster mixture?

• A paintbrush

• A knife

• A pair of needle nose pliers

• A spoon