PROBLEM: How can fossils be preserved?

PREDICTION:

PROCEDURE:

MATERIALS: two types of coral, scallop, snail, or other objects, plaster of Paris, clay, petroleum jelly, margarine dish, spoon

EXERCISE I. Each group at a table will "fossilize" one organism. Your instructor will illustrate how to make the impression with plaster of Paris. However, BEFORE you make the impression, record what you think will be made by the impression.

EXERCISE 2. Look at the fossils that were made by 5 different classmates. Can you determine what each object was before it became a fossil? Record what you think the fossil is, and then when your classmate states what it is, check your answer.

CONCLUSION: Which "fossil" was preserved the best? Why?

The worst? Why?