Saturday, March 29, 2025
Did you know that you can discover the secrets of the past in the earth right beneath your feet? Join us as we travel back in time with a paleoecologist! Explore the evidence left behind by ancient floods, mineral deposits, fires, and animals through “core logging,” a method used by paleoecologists to examine the history stored in the earth!
Time
Ages 7-12: 8 am PT • 9 am MT • 10 am CT • 11 am ET • 12 pm AT
Ages 13-17: 10 am PT • 11 am MT • 12 pm CT • 1 pm ET • 2 pm AT
Materials and Preparation
- Two to three 4 oz containers of playdough; at least 2 different colours.
- Rice or other grain (dried)
- String (thin and colourful)
- Sprinkles
- Beads (small and colourful)
- Empty toilet paper or paper towel tube
- Plastic tape (duct tape, electrical tape, scotch tape)
- Scissors
- Plastic or butter knife
- One of the following (recommended opaque, and playdough-safe. If you use a container that you don’t want to come in contact with playdough, you can line it with a plastic bag or plastic wrap):
- Plastic solo cup
- Paper solo cup
- Mug
- Small cup
Meet the Expert
Samantha Mitchell
Samantha is a master’s of science student at Lakehead University, researching the ecological history of damaged peatlands. Having worked in both research and conservation roles, Samantha has a deep-rooted passion for protecting and understanding the natural world. She works to inspire curiosity in the sciences through her digital art and creative writing.
This programming was developed by Samantha Mitchell, Mikaela Moore, and Sydney Brooks.
