Real Fossils. Real Fun
Jurassic Classroom is a unique educational outreach program that brings REAL DINOSAUR FOSSILS to YOU!
Education
Not Your Everyday Classroom
Jurassic Classroom focuses on techniques developed in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These standards were developed by the different state governments in combination with the National Research Council, the National Science Teacher's Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The purpose of the NGSS is to present science in the classroom in the same way it is conducted in the lab and in the field. Instead of simply learning facts about scientific subjects like biology or chemistry, students are encouraged to make observations and ask questions, which they can then test in order to learn more. To learn more about the NGSS, you can read more about them on their official website here
Developing and Using Models
Scientists develop and use models to help to illustrate scientific ideas and to make predictions that can be tested. In Jurassic Classroom, this can mean drawing what a student believes a dinosaur looks like when they only have one bone to go off of.
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
By observing actual dinosaur fossils, students will learn how paleontologists look at fossils in order to learn about the living things that left them behind. When presented with a fossil, students will have to use their observations to make a hypothesis about what the fossil is. After identifying a fossil, the student will then have to draw further conclusions. For example, if the student is holding a dinosaur tooth, they'll have to decide if they think it came from a meat-eater or a plant-eater.
Arguing from Evidence
When students make observations and hypotheses about the fossils they will encounter, they'll have to argue why they believe their fossil is whatever they hypothesize it to be. If they hypothesize that they're holding the tooth of a meat-eating dinosaur, they'll have to argue why they think it's a meat eater and not a plant-eater.