Put your thinking caps on...

You're a paleontologist...and you've just returned from a very successful dinosaur dig. You've brought back with you the bounty - all the unique and rare bone fragments you unearthed!

Now comes the REAL challenge:

crack the mystery of the dinosaur specimens!

How it works

Children are given a "discovery" paper and a "dino skeleton" paper. They're instructed to 1) observe, 2) study, 3) compare and 4) decide. Alone or in groups, they review (and discuss) what bones were discovered. They try to recognize them in a full dinosaur skeleton...and finally they try to name the animal.

You're the scientist

The children offer their hypotheses. They explain their reasoning behind their decision and they're asked to "back it up" with the facts as they know them.

This can work effectively as a team or individual activity.

Dig in!