Richard, hi. My husband is a high school science teacher and he has a few suggestions. The "digging away"-type activity is very time-consuming, messy, and because it takes so long, the kids often lose interest before there's anything to show. There can also be safety issues with younger kids and sharp tools. Though perhaps someone has a way to do it that doesn't have these problems! What he uses with his students (but I've also done it with 2nd-3rd graders) is a "cast and mold" fossil activity. There are lots of descriptions of activities if you google this. But if you want one version, here's a brief outline of what he does: --mix plaster slurry (consistency of a thick milkshake) (he bought a 25-lb bag at Home Depot, pretty cheap) --pour into Dixie cup, 2/3 full --take small seashell (best with ridges) and lightly coat surface with Vaseline --push ridge side into plaster (but not submerged) and don't let plaster run over edge --ideally, let set overnight (that's what he does, so it's dry), but if pressed, you could just let it set for 30 minutes while the kids move on to something else (check out an exhibit, for instance) --next day or in half an hour, pull out shell (what's left becomes your fossil mold) -- lightly coat exposed surface of mold with Vaseline, then pour in more plaster slurry --let set, peel cup, and pull cast and mold apart (this is where you'd have to see if there was enough time for the mold to set). --send kids home with cast and mold in plastic bags Of course, you'd want to try the whole process first and work out the logistics, details, especially the timing on the plaster setting.... More detail than you probably want. Good luck! --Kathie Kathie Gow Oral History Producer http://www.wordspicturesstories.com Curator, Hatfield Historical Museum http://hatfieldhistory.weebly.com -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Fields Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 7:55 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Fossil projects Does anyone have a source for how to make fossil kits for a kids project. We need to create an activity for kids per-K to 6th grade. I am thinking of being able to have kids scrape away the surface to uncover pretend fossils. Thanks in advance. ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).