Exploring Careers: Paleontologists (Grades 5-12)

Graphic: Marcela Esteves

When most of us think about paleontologists, we picture a crew of dusty folks digging up dinosaurs. Paleontologists, however, do more than just study dinosaur bones. Through the fossil record, paleontologists also study bacteria, plants, and other animals to reconstruct the history of life on Earth. Their data provide valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships of organisms.

Some paleontologists examine the geologic record to study trends in past climates and environments, and can help predict the consequences of environmental change, such as global warming. Still other paleontologists work in the petroleum industry, where they identify sources of fossil fuel. In general, paleontology is the study of the geologic past and of ancient life-forms.

Connections

Paleontology requires knowledge in biology, chemistry, and geology. Paleontologists who study early humans must also have an understanding of anthropology and sociology. The paleontologist's day-to-day work, like that of most scientists, requires a combination of creativity, teamwork, and meticulous measurement and record keeping.

Most of the resources on this page were chosen to introduce students to the practical aspects of paleontology and to provide insight into how paleontologists figure things out. After examining these sites, students could work in teams to propose a plan for a mock expedition. Within their proposals they would have to explain what they wanted to study and why. Have them include in their plans a list of required supplies and a budget. The class could then hold a grant competition in which students examine the written proposals and choose one or two to "fund."

Web Resources

1. What's Happening at PRI?
   
   http://www.priweb.org
   Visit this page and learn all about the ongoing work of the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI). View the PRI online exhibits, and learn about the many educational opportunities offered by the institution.
   
   
2. Discovering Dinosaurs
   
   http://search.eb.com/dinosaurs/dinosaurs/index2.html
   This site explores our evolving conceptions of dinosaur anatomy, physiology, behavior, and the environment(s) in which they lived. Trace the great dinosaur debate through time.
   
   
3. Sue at the Field Museum
   
   http://www.fmnh.org/sue/default.html
   Who is Sue? Discovered by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in the Badlands of South Dakota, she is the largest and best-preserved T. rex skeleton ever found! This web site tells the story of Sue's discovery and preservation.
   
   
4. Real Science! Scientists
   
   http://www.realscience.org/student_home/student-series.html
   (Part of an ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC#014909) At this site, students can learn about the careers of real scientists, including paleontologists. For each, links to related web sites and advice for aspiring scientists are provided.
   
   
5. I Want to Be a Paleontologist!
   
   http://www.priweb.org/ed/lol/careers.html
   Aimed at students and parents, this site offers advice about the best paths to follow in preparing for a career in paleontology.
   
   
6. Strange Science: The Rocky Road to Modern Paleontology and Biology
   
   http://www.strangescience.net
   This site includes a number of interesting biographies of famous people who contributed to the advance of scientific ideas in the field of paleontology. Careful to note that false conclusions are an inherent part of scientific progress, the site also presents the "Goof Gallery" of mistaken ideas that early scientists and artists had about extinct and living beings.
   
   
7. Busy Teachers' WebSite K-12 / Paleontology
   
   http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/busyt/paleo.html
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC#011377) Here are a number of suggested web sites you can link to.
   
   
8. Learning from the Fossil Record
   
   http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/fosrec.html
   (An ENC Digital Dozen selection, ENC#019111) At this site you'll get the real scoop on what fossils can teach us about where we've come from--and where we might be going. You'll find information about paleontology, classroom activities, and articles about valuable but underused paleontological resources.
   
   

Ready-to-Go Activities

1. Wanted: Albertosaurus
   
   http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0005/dino/
   Grades 3-6. Join paleontologist Phillip Currie as he tracks down a forgotten burial site and unearths the remains of 12 Albertosaurs.
   
   
2. Dinosaur I: Finding and Dating
   
   http://www.tpt.org/newtons/9/dino1.html
   Grades 5-7. In this classroom activity presented by Newton's Apple, students work cooperatively as "paleontologists" to investigate and excavate "fossil" bones in a miniature classroom dig site.
   
   
3. Paleontology: The Big Dig
   
   http://www.ology.amnh.org/paleontology/index.html
   (Part of a Digital Dozen selection. ENC#017844) Grades 5-7. The American Museum of Natural History developed a set of interactive "paleo+ology" activities for kids. Follow real-life paleontologists Mike and Mark on an expedition in the Gobi Desert. Read an informative interview with dashing dino fossil Proto Andy, and trace the evolution of well-known and lesser-known dinos.
   
   
4. Time and Change: Using Radioactivity to Determine Geologic Age
   
   http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/geoage.htm
   For students in grades 7-12, this site presents a lesson plan for teaching students about the use of radioactive decay to calculate geologic age. The plan begins by providing ample background for geologic dating, and the activity is thoughtfully divided into an exploration phase, a concept development phase, and an application phase.
   
   

Classroom Resources from the ENC Collection

1. Skeletons in the sand
   Date: 1994 Grade(s): 7 - Post-Sec. Cost: $19.95 ENC#: 002900
   In this video, students discover how scientists work by observing Paul Sereno's team of young paleontologists as the expedition travels to Africa and unearths two previously undiscovered species of dinosaur.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
2. Dinosaur hunter
   Featured in ENC Focus  
   Date: 1996 Grade(s): K - 12 Cost: $19.95 ENC#: 004652
   Visitors to this virtual museum (on CD-ROM) go underground to hunt for dinosaur fossils. Using the clues provided, they complete a skeleton, bring the dinosaur back to life, and release it into the museum.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
3. Investigating science with dinosaurs
   Date: 1993 Grade(s): 4 - 12 Cost: $24.50 ENC#: 002883
   This book capitalizes on the dinosaur craze to promote scientific awareness. Activities guide students through the process of doing science as they explore everything from dinosaur digestion to the mechanical principles of dinosaur architecture and locomotion.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
4. On the trail of incredible dinosaurs
   Date: 1998 Grade(s): 5 - 12 Cost: $14.95 ENC#: 014076
   This book shows how paleontologists use fossil evidence to reconstruct the lost world of the dinosaurs, including how these animals lived, ate, and defended themselves.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
5. Dinosaurs: unearthing the secrets of ancient beasts
   Date: 1995 Grade(s): 5 - 12 Cost: $19.95 ENC#: 010245
   Students can research the unique men and women who contributed to the field of paleontology by developing field methods of dating and preserving fossil specimens.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   

Teacher Resources from the ENC Collection

1. Journal of geological education
   Date: 1994 Grade(s): 9 - 12 Cost: $15.00 ENC#: 004206
   Published by the National Association of Geology Teachers (NAGT). Articles cover geology content and teaching methods.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   
2. Dinosaurs of Utah
   Date: 1998 Grade(s): 9 - Post-Sec. Cost: $45.00 ENC#: 013861
   The state of Utah is a natural museum of the great age of the dinosaurs, from the early Triassic to late Cretaceous periods. This book presents "Utah" dinosaurs in the context of the changing landscapes, environments, and biota recorded in the geological record.
   (For more details see ENC Record)
   
   
   

Search Strategies

Find more materials by searching Curriculum Resources on ENC Online using these terms: Careers, Dinosaurs, or Paleontology.

Connections to Standards

Realizing that there are many ways to use this Classroom Calendar entry, we chose these standards because they relate to the entry, in full or in part. If you want to explore the standards further, please use the link(s) provided.

Connections to NSES
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Understanding about inquiry (5-8)
Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry: Understanding about inquiry (9-12)
Content Standard C: Life Science: Structure and function in living systems (5-8)
Content Standard C: Life Science: Diversity and adaptations of organisms (5-8)
Content Standard C: Life Science: Biological evolution (9-12)
Content Standard D: Earth and Space Science: Earth's history (5-8)
Content Standard D: Earth and Space Science: Origin and evolution in the earth system (9-12)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Science and technology in society (5-8)
Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges (9-12)
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science: Science as a human endeavor (5-8)
Content Standard G: History and Nature of Science: Science as a human endeavor (9-12)
Unifying Concepts and Processes (K-12): Evidence, models, and explanation