Nanogirl visits Te Papa and finds out whether we could bring dinosaurs back to life... And whether we would actually want to.

On a scorching hot day in 1989, near the small Central Otago town of St Bathans, a group of scientists were digging in the soil. What they would find would change our ideas about the animals that have lived in Aotearoa.

Geologists James Goff and Scott Nichol had an idea that the landscape at Henderson Bay in Northland was changed by a huge tsunami that took place hundreds of years ago. Can they find evidence to support their idea?

This article describes the evolutionary development of life in Aotearoa New Zealand and addresses the question of why our flora and fauna are so distinct. It introduces and explains the concepts of evolution and adaptation and offers a brief overview of how the land itself changed over many millions of years.

Connected promotes scientific, technological, and mathematical literacy so that students can engage in a critical and informed manner with real-life science- and technology- related issues and authentic, context-based mathematical explorations. Connected is provided to all primary schools.

Although dinosaurs may not rule the planet anymore, they are still a fascinating topic to discuss and also offer plenty of opportunities for fun games and activities.

Here’s hoping you’ll dig Bill Nye the Science Guy in the “Fossils” episode.

Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d-cXkkPecE

This book provides the opportunity for children to investigate fossils and how they are made (the process of fossilisation). By doing so, children gain further evidence that life on Earth was different in the past and have the opportunity to develop their concept of things changing over time.

Creating your own fossil is a fun project that will show you how scientists use them to research extinct species such as dinosaurs.

Have fun as you make a fossil and learn about the science behind them. Fossils are one of the reasons scientists know so much about animals such as the dinosaurs which lived on earth millions of years ago.

Make your own pretend dinosaur fossils at home, all you need is some clay, plaster of paris and of course a dinosaur!