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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Paleo Art – Edge of Extinction: Make Your Own Dinosaur Ecosystem Mural

Activity Description

In this five-part natural history exploration, you are invited to join museum experts to learn how to use fossils to understand and show what life on our planet looked like in the past, also known as "reconstructing" the past. Through online artist demonstrations and conversations with museum scientists, you will use fossil evidence to create your own science-based mural of a North American ecosystem just before the extinction of the dinosaurs! 

Note: This activity is adapted from a week-long Natural History Summer Exploration program hosted online by the National Museum of Natural History July 27-31, 2020. It includes video recordings of webinars that happened as part of that program.

What Will I Need?

  • Computer or mobile device
  • Internet connection
  • At least one sheet of large paper (at least 11 x 17", which could be two pieces of 8.5 x 11" paper taped together)
  • At least 12 pieces of regular-sized (8.5 x 11") printer or notebook paper
  • Pencil with a good eraser
  • Optional: Colored pencils, crayons, markers, or paints

Recommended Schedule

  • One-hour pre-recorded webinar: Explore how scientists and illustrators use fossil pollen to identify plants from past ecosystems, and learn how to add plants to your mural. 
  • Experts you’ll meet: Paleontologist Karma Nanglu, Palynologist Vera Korasidis, Paleo-Artists Bob Walters and Tess Kissinger, and Museum Educator Nicole Webster
  • Watch the Part 2 webinar video and Dig Deeper with these activities and videos.

 

  • One-hour pre-recorded webinar: Did you know that fossils come in all shapes and sizes? Learn how microfossils are used to identify animals that will be added to your mural.
  • Experts you’ll meet: Paleontologists Matthew Carrano and Karma Nanglu, Paleo-Artists Bob Walters and Tess Kissinger, and Museum Educator Nicole Webster
  • Watch the Part 3 webinar video and Dig Deeper with these activities and videos.
  • One-hour pre-recorded webinar: Explore how scientists know what animals from the past looked like just from studying their skeletons and add a dinosaur drawing to your mural!
  • Experts you’ll meet: Paleontologists Advait Jukar and Karma Nanglu, Paleo-Artists Bob Walters and Tess Kissinger, and Museum Educator Nicole Webster
  • Watch the Part 4 webinar video and Dig Deeper with these activities and videos.
Resource Type
Hands-On Activities
Grade Level
3-5, 6-8
Topics
Life Science, Paleontology
Exhibit
David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time