The Data:
Process
Instructions for collecting data from your sample:
- Examine rock for fossil specimens
- If one fossil is found, identify fossil type (for help, go to Devonian Primer or Fossil Key) (is there a more obvious place to link the key??)
- Find ‘A’ and ‘B’ dimensions on fossil (for help, go to How to Measure)
- Measure length of ‘A’ and ‘B’ using ruler IN MILLIMETERS and record on appropriate datasheet
- Record rock coloration and fossil fragmentation
- If a picture is taken, place a star next to the measurements so you can upload the fossil image with the data
If Multiple Fossils found on one rock:
- Examine rock and look for brachiopods, clams, and other fossils
- Place a sheet of laminate paper over the rock and carefully trace rock outline and BRACHIOPOD fossils in blue dry erase marker
- Mark ‘A’ and ‘B’ dimensions of brachiopods on outline before removing laminate paper
- Place a new sheet of laminate paper over the rock and repeat steps 2 and 3 with CLAM (using red marker) and OTHER fossil types (using green marker)
- Measure length of ‘A’ and ‘B’ using ruler IN MILLIMETERS and record on appropriate datasheet
- Record rock coloration and fossil fragmentation
Using the datasheets:
If using datasheet for a single fossil (brachiopod or clam), simply record the measurements of ‘A’ and ‘B’ in columns 1 and 2, the approximate coloration of the rock containing the fossils (1-5) and the fragmentation of the shell (1 = 90% or more complete to 5 = barely identifiable fragment).
If using datasheet for multiple fossil types (trilobite, cephalopod, bryozoan for instance), be sure to indicate the part of the trilobite being examined (head, rib, tail), or the fossil type being measured (C = cephalopod, B = bryozoan, H = horn coral, G = gastropod, Cr = crinoid) After recording the measurements of ‘A’ and ‘B’ you will want to record the coloration of the rock containing the fossils (1-5) and the fragmentation of the shell (1-5). You may find a sketch helpful in deciding.
Helpful Tips:
KEEPING TRACK OF FOSSILS
The reason we recommend using laminate paper when multiple fossils are on a rock is because students frequently lose track of which fossils they have measured and recorded, and which they have not. Also, outlining the fossils make the students pay very close attention to the things they are measuring.
Another way to keep track of what fossils have already been measured is to stick a tiny piece of masking tape on each fossil, and label them with letters or numbers. Then, when filling out the datasheets, students can record the letter/number of the fossil so they can double check their work later.
