Educational Activities Developed by Parks

Big Bend has an amazing range of fossil history that stretches over 130 million years! From sharks to mammoths learn about what lived here, what their world looked like, and how they were adapted to it. (30-45 minutes)

Denali was created to protect wild animals, but it also protects some of the most expansive and significant dinosaur trackways in the world. During this Distance Learning program, students travel back in time with a ranger to learn about how the predator-prey interactions of Denali’s dinosaurs mirror those of wild animals in Denali today.

An independent research activity where students will make observations and understand that many Ice Age animals are similar to animals that still live today.

Students will model the flow of energy through Pleistocene (Ice Age) food chains.

In this lesson, students will explore 'fossils' by using chocolate chip cookies in an interactive fossil dig! Through creative problem-based learning that incorporates teamwork, students will work in collaborative groups to create an informational presentation about paleontology. After completing this group project, the students will be able to relate to paleontologists while understanding the significance of paleontology.

A fun activity for small children. They can choose what fossil to make and then paint it.

Students will recreate the Florissant Formation stratigraphic column (or any rock formation you would like to use) using food materials. Each food item will represent a specific layer of the Florissant Formation (or rock formation).

Students will get to view excavation sites that our paleontologists visit and do an easier version of what our paleontologists do here at the parks. They will virtually tour the excavation pit and 2 petrified stumps.

Join an Education Ranger as they introduce students to several species of mammals that once roamed the Nebraska plains during the Miocene epoch some 26-15 Million Years ago. Learn about how climate change, geology and other environmental factors contributed to the evolution and extinction of these species. And some other fun facts as well!

Students have the opportunity to learn about universal geological concepts and rock layers through exploring evidence of changes over geologic time through the fossil record. Program is intended for 3rd through 7th grade and is hosted by Grand Canyon Park Rangers via Distance Learning.