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Dr. Jennifer Anné, our lead paleontologist and manager of the natural sciences collection, demonstrates how our paleontologists package fossils in field jackets to keep them safe from the field to the museum. Grab these items and and make your own field jackets at home!
Materials:
- Flour
- Water
- Measuring cup
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Aluminum foil
- Newspaper
- Permanent marker
- A small object that you don't mind getting dirty
Process:
Our paleontologist will be using one of her plastic easter eggs
- Cut news paper into thin strips, approximately 1/2 inch to 1 cm thick.
- Mix your "plaster" (in this case, paper mache). You will mix 1 part water for every 2 parts flour. The amount of mixture will depend on the size of your object.
- Cover your object with aluminum foil. This prevents the "plaster" from getting on your "fossil."
- Dip a strip of newspaper in your "plaster." Make sure it is well coated and get rid of drips. Wrap that strip around your "fossil."
- Repeat several times until your "fossil" is well covererd in several layers of "bandages."
- Let your "jacket" dry. Once it is dry, write info on the "jacket" such as date, what the "fossil" is, where it will be shipped, etc.
You can open your jacket later in the day. Or you could have someone else open it!
Share your field jackets with us by using the hashtag #TCMatHome on social media. We can't wait to see what you've made!
