Students in pre-kindergarten through grade 8 at the Center for Teaching and Learning learned all about fossils from guest educator Deb Johnson of the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum on Jan. 16. Johnson traveled to Edgecomb from Bethel to spend a full day with the students in each class as part of the school’s study of geology and paleontology this year.

Johnson visited every age group and engaged its students in experiences with fossilization at various developmentally appropriate levels. Younger students in grades pre-K and kindergarten listened to a read aloud and were able to hold and learn about dinosaur fossils. Pre-K teacher Haley Barnes noted that Johnson’s demonstration made the science, “Totally touchable. She spoke their language and had them all engaged.”

Students in grades 1-8 were able to experience fossil science by making models of three kinds of fossil processes they learned about from Johnson: mineralization, cast, and amber. Each student went home with their own set of models to continue the conversation and learning with their families. Young scientists across the grade levels were particularly excited to learn from Johnson that new information in this field continues to be discovered—perhaps even by them, one day.

All of CTL’s students have been studying geology and paleontology this year as part of the school’s five-year spiral science curriculum. Each year CTL’s science curriculum revolves around an area of study that kids engage in as researchers, learning in-depth and collaboratively. Through this five-year spiral approach to science, students encounter a balance of natural and physical sciences. Concepts addressed during their first years at CTL are revisited at greater depth in students’ final years. 

To learn more about CTL, please visit our website at www.c-t-l.org, or contact CTL’s Head of School, Katy Inman, at katy@c-t-l.org.