Dinosaur Fossil Dig  WebQuest for 3rd Grade Science Designed by: Heather Limp hlimp@franklincollege.edu Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits & References Teacher Page Introduction Have you ever wondered how and where dinosaur fossils are found?  Now is your time to find out!  The Children's Museum has discovered an area where they believe are dinosaur fossils are located. The museum has hired you to travel to the location to dig up and research the fossils.  You will be working with two more people as a team.  Good Luck and remember to stay on task, but still have FUN!   Back to the top of the page Task As a team of dinosuar fossil experts, you have been asked by the museum to travel to a specific location believed to have dinosaur fossils.  You and your team will locate the fossils, research the fossils, and complete a packet which will be provided to the team.  Your team will include:  a worker, a paleontologist, and a draftsman.  The museum has provided a description for each team member. Back to the top of the page Process You will be placed in groups of three.  Each of you will have a job and specific requirements of that job.  The museum has given a description of each job.   Worker This is the person in the group that is going to do all of the digging.  This person is gong to use the appropriate tools to dig the dinosaur fossils out of the rock and dirt. Paleontolgist This person is the scientist who studies the fossils.  The paleontolgist will also decide, with help from the other members of the team, what type of fossil it is. Draftsman This is the person who is going to draw all of the pictures of the fossils that are found.  The drawings will later be sent to the museum, so make sure the draftsman does his or her best drawing. 1.  Start at your assigned location. 2.  The worker will use the proper tools to search for the fossil.  Once the fossil is found, the worker will need to measure the length of the fossil in centimeters (cm). 3.  After the fossil is found, the paleontologist will use online resources to identify the fossil and then record it's name.  The paleontologist will need to work together with the other members of the team before recording any information. 4.  While the paleontologist is doing research the draftsman will need to draw a picture of the fossil. 5.  After the classifying and drawing is finished, the worker needs to place the fossil back in its original location.  This will help the specialist from the museum to better prepare it for the trip to the museum. 6.  Continue this process for the next locations. 7.  Record all of the information and pictures.  Don't forget to write in cursive and make all handwriting legible and easy to read! Back to the top of the page Evaluation Now you need to present your findings to the board of directors at the Children's Museum.  Remember to express your answers clearly and show them how well you worked together as a team.  Your job depends on it! Dinosaur Fossil Dig Rubric Back to the top of the page Conclusion Congratulations!  You have succeeded at discovering many different fossils!  Not only have you become a well-known paleontologist, you have also gained experience working with others, research skills, and more knowledge of dinosaurs. If you would like more information about dinosaurs and dinosaur fossils you can visit these sites: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/ http://www.kidsdinos.com/ http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=2280 http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/dinosaurs/ http://dsc.discovery.com/dinosaurs/ EXTRA CREDIT If your team finishes early and you are interested in an extra credit opportunity, you may get a Dinosaur Word Search from your teacher.  The word search is to be completed individually.   Back to the top of the page Credits & References "A to Z Teacher Stuff."  Word Search Generator.  2008.  25 Nov. 2008              http://tools.atozteacherstuff.com/word-search-maker/wordsearch.php Enchanted Learning.  "Dinosaur Teeth."  Enchanted Learning.  2008.  25 Nov. 2008              http://enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/anatomy/Teeth.shtml                            "How Stuff Works."  A Discovery Company.  30Oct. 2008.  25 Nov. 2008             http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/how-to-draw-dinosaurs.htm Back to the top of the page