Worksheet B2f 2
Making fossils
Fossils are often formed from the hard parts of living things. You can use shells to make your own
fossils.
You will need:

shell

modelling clay

plaster of Paris

card

sticky tape

plastic cup

plastic spoon

eye protection
Method
1
Choose a shell to make your fossil from.
2
Press the shell carefully into a piece of modelling clay.
3
Carefully remove the shell to leave an imprint in the clay.
4
Make a ring using the card and sticky tape.
5
Press the ring into the clay around the imprint.
6
Mix plaster of Paris with water until you get a smooth runny paste. Safety! Be careful handling
plaster of Paris – it can get hot.
7
Pour the mixture into the clay mould and leave overnight.
8
The following day, once the mould has set, gently remove the card and clay and then answer the
questions.
Worksheet B2f 2 Continued
QUESTIONS
1
Can you recognise the original animal shell?
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2
a
Can you tell what the whole original animal looked like from your fossil?
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b
Explain your answer.
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3
How is your fossil similar to a real fossil?
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4
How is your fossil different from a real fossil?
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B2f 1
Technician’s notes
Class discussion – How fossils are made
Provide a number of identifiable fossils.
Class activity – Making fossils
Equipment (per student):

shell

modelling clay

plaster of Paris

card cut into strips to fit round clay

sticky tape

plastic cup

plastic spoon

eye protection
Health and safety!
Ensure students wear eye protection when handling plaster of Paris. Note that some samples can get
very hot.
Plenary activity – True or false?
Teacher selects five appropriate statements to read out to the class and students answer ‘true’ or
‘false’.
Animals and plants have changed over time
T
The change in a species is called evolution
T
The oldest rocks contain the youngest fossils
F
The deepest rocks normally have the oldest fossils in them
T
Shells of animals normally rot before the soft parts
F
Complete animals can become fossilised in ice
T
Fossilisation is very common
F
The fossil record is complete
F
Not everyone has the same view of the fossil record
T
There may still be fossils we have not found
T