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How to Make a Fossil for Students

Students studying natural or earth science will benefit from a hands-on experiment involving fossils. Fossils form in two ways -- as either a mold of the object that has long disintegrated or a cast of the mold made of a hard substance, such as plaster. Form both types of fossils with this project. Replace the natural items with manmade objects, such as keys or necklaces, to give an example of what the fossils of the future will look like because of litter.

Things You'll Need

Tin pie pan
1 to 5 lbs. modeling clay
1 to 4 inch diameter natural objects, such as seashells, leaves, pinecones and twigs
Petroleum jelly
16 to 32 oz. white glue
12-inch sq cardboard
Fine grit sandpaper (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Take two fistfuls of modeling clay and form a solid ball. Flatten the ball in a tin pie pan to a round disc that is 2 inches thick.
- 2
  Coat one side of a natural object, such as a seashell, leaf, pinecone or twig, that is approximately 1 to 4 inches in diameter, with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to prevent the clay from sticking.
- 3
  Position the petroleum jelly-coated side of the object in the center of the modeling clay. Push the object 1 inch into the clay; do not push it all the way through the clay. Remove the object slowly so the impression is retained.
- 4
  Fill the impression with white glue. Pour the glue in the clay slowly so air bubbles do not form. Smack the pan on the work surface two to three times to burst any remaining air bubbles.
- 5
  Allow the glue to dry for 48 hours. Pull the glue fossil out of the clay cast gently so the clay retains its impression.
- 6
  Remove the clay cast from the tin pie pan. Place on a sheet of 12-inch square cardboard so the backside can dry completely, which could take up to a week.

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