Science Experiments | Fossils - Experiment 1 - Making an Impression: In which soil environment does a fossil most easily form?

Experiment 1
Making an Impression: In which soil environment does a fossil most easily form?

Purpose/Hypothesis

Paleontologists have found fossils on every continent, yet some areas contain more fossils than others. One of the key factors leading to fossil formation is the type of sediment or material in which a dead organism settles. (Most organisms settle where they die; in some cases a river, wind, or animals can carry the organism to another location.) Scientist use fossils to study and determine the lifestyles and adaptations of plants and animals. The more details found in a fossil, the more information the scientists gain.

In this experiment, you will determine how the soil makeup of different geographical areas impacts the number of fossil casts formed. You will make three fossil casts in three soils of varying moisture content. One of...

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