School Program Outline


General Outline 

Orientation: "Where did Dinosaurs Live?"

  • What is a fossil? Geology and Biology
  • What branch of science studies ancient life? Geology and Biology
  • What is a dinosaur? Geology and Biology
  • Did dinosaurs live in Colorado? Geology and Biology
  • Did dinosaurs all live at the same time? Geology
  • Bonus: Has the climate and geography changed in Morrison through time? How do we know?

Jurassic Morrison 

  • What historical significance does Morrison have in paleontology? History
  • Name two animal species that lived in Morrison during the Late Jurassic? Biology
  • What was Morrison climate and geography like during the Late Jurassic? Geology and Geography
  • How was Jurassic Morrison similar and different to Morrison today? Geology, Geography, Biology
  • What type of rock are the Stegosaurus tracks preserved in? Geology
  • What does the rock that the Stegosaurus tracks are preserved on tell us about how the sand was deposited? Geology

Cretaceous Colorado

  • How did the climate and geography change in Morrison during the Late Cretaceous? Geology and Geography
  • What kinds of plants and animals lived here during the Late Cretaceous? Biology
  • Compare and contrast the geography of Morrison during Cretaceous and Jurassic. How are they similar and different? Geography and Geology
  • Activity: hands-on encounter the giant fossil skulls.

Ice Age Survivors

  • What was Morrison climate and geography like during the Pleistocene? Geology and Geography
  • What kinds of plants and animals lived here during the Pleistocene? Biology
  • How does this habitat compare to other periods of Morrison history? Geology and Geography
  • Activity: meet an Ice Age Survivor - (pet a live snake)

Behind the Scenes: Paleontology Lab

  • See where museum staff prepare fossils for study and display. Clean a fossil with a little help from our staff.
  • Optional, self-guided activity:
    • "Fossil Pit" fossil dig activity for young children.