If you are studying dinosaurs,
love dinosaurs or want to
know more about dinosaurs,
this is the program for you.
A DRB Dinosaur Dig Assembly
starts with a short message
on paleontology and the
Maiasaura.
Next, we talk about and
demonstrate the proper way to dig up the fossils.
The children then move into the digsite with their groups. (Two to
three students per site works best).
When the word is given the students start to uncover the bones.
During this time they'll find anywhere from one (a femur or part of
the skull) to five (the tail) fossils in their dig site.
After all the bones are uncovered and cleaned off everyone gathers
around a custom-made frame and piece by piece the dinosaur is
field assembled.
During the assembly of the skeleton, many Maiasaura facts are
presented in a manner that keeps the children involved. For
example when the ribs are added, the kids are asked to feel and try
to count their own ribs.
When it's all completed we have a question and answer session and
then the students are asked to name the Dinosaur.
Finally we give the teachers a test with some Maiasaura facts that
the students just learned. If the students do well the teachers will
present them with a DRB Associate Special Agent ID Card with room
for their name, favorite dinosaur, date and authorized signature (the
teacher's).
It's an activity that's more than just fun for the students. It's also
educational. The content is aligned perfectly with the Michigan
Curriculum Framework Science Benchmarks. The Topic of Evolution
(LE III.4 -1) Explain how fossils provide evidence about the nature of
ancient life, is a natural fit for our assembly. But we also cover items
such as:
- Constructing New Scientific Knowledge (C I.1-1) Generate
questions about the world based on observation - Constructing New Scientific Knowledge (C I.1-2) Develop
solutions to problems through reasoning, observation and
investigations - Constructing New Scientific Knowledge (C I.1-5) Develop
strategies and skills for information gathering and problem
solving - Reflecting on Scientific Knowledge (R II.1-1) Develop an
awareness of the need for evidence in making decisions
scientifically - Organization of Living Things (LO III.2-1) Explain
Characteristics of observable body parts in a variety of
animals - Ecosystems (LEC III.5-1) Identify familiar organisms as part of
a food chain or food web and describe their feeding
relationships within the web.
The whole activity takes between 90-120 minutes. The DRB needs
45-60 minutes to set up. The holes must be pre-dug (we'll send you
the instructions - it's a great activity for parent helpers). We also
need about 30 minutes to pack up.
If your class is studying dinosaurs in the winter, they can still
experience a dig and they can do it in the warmth of your school.
When the weather gets cold or wet or windy, as it sometimes tends
to do in Michigan, we move our assemblies indoors.
The DRB can move 1,000 pounds of sand into your school gym or
activity center in 12 portable dig site boxes. It's the same concept as
our outdoor digs, just a little cleaner.
Set up takes the same amount of time and a little more exercise on
our part.
To schedule an assembly, contact John Ribbing, the Director of the
Dinosaur Recovery Bureau at 248 310 7551 or e-mail
jribbing@dinobureau.com.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
