Collecting data on your fossils
If you are a part of the Fossil Finders project, you have or are about to receive a bulk sample full of fossils in the mail (register for your samples here). If you are not a part of the Fossil Finders project and would like to get involved, please find more information here.
Your sample has a special numerical name that helps Fossil Finders paleontologists (and you, too) to know where your sample came from. Here’s an example sample number: 3734 – 03.1 J.
- The first part of 3734 – 03.1 J is the place where the sample was collected, in this case, Pompey, NY.
- The second part of 3734 – 03.1 J is the layer of rock the sample was taken from, also called a horizon.
- The third part of 3734 – 03.1 J separates your 3.1 rock layer sample (J) from another classroom’s 3.1 rock layer sample (like 03.1 H or 03.1 C). So other classrooms with 03.1 samples should have similar data to yours!
To collect data about the fossils in your sample, you will need to do the following things:
Observe the color of the rock the fossils come in – This is a subjective measure of the amount of oxygen and decomposition that has happened to the organic material in the rock and is very important to Fossil Finders scientists.
Find the fossils in the rock – You and your students will be THE FIRST people to ever see these fossils. You’ll find them in the rock and, after some critical observation and by using our helpful keyand identification sheets, you’ll figure out what your fossils are!
Measure your fossils – You’ll use calipers provided by Fossil Finders scientists to measure the length and width of your fossils.
Take a closer look – Some classes may wish to look for unique markings on the fossils, which are evidence of other ancient life, and record that information, too!
Enter your data into a growing database – Numerous classrooms have already entered their data. You can compare your class’s data with other samples from the same rock horizon, or see how your sample comes from one of 10 or more layers of fossils to see how they have changed through time!
With your guidance and the help of Fossil Finders paleontologists, your class will be able to paint a picture of upstate New York as it was 380 million years ago!