In this quick and inexpensive tutorial, we are going to show you how to make a Stegosaurs Dig Kit. These excavations are super easy to make and are a great teaching resource to include in your next lesson or discussion about dinosaurs, fossils, paleontology, and more.
Materials:
Sand
Plaster of Paris
Water
Mixing Bowl
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups
Popsicle sticks – Popsicle sticks are inexpensive, readily available, and make great excavation tools.
Safety goggles or glasses – You we need to provide or borrow a set for each student.
Optional – Brushes and magnifying glasses.
Plastic Stegosaurs toy - You can find these in dinosaur toy assortments or purchase them individually online.
Any small container that will fit your Stegosaurs toy and allow room for the plaster mixture will work. I love rummaging through recycle bins for fun and unique containers I can use for excavations. For this tutorial I will use a plastic soup take out container. This container is roughly pint sized, round, and will hold the small Stegosaurs toys I will be using for my dig kit.
Check out hundreds of exciting and unique dig kits! Excavating Adventures has a kit for everyone. Explore dig kits filled with rocks, minerals, gemstones, seashells, real fossils and more!
Directions:
- Rinse out the take out container and remove the lid.
- Place the Stegosaurs toy in the container.
- Mix 1 cups sand with 1/3 cup Plaster of Paris.
- Add 1/3 cup of water and mix until you have a pancake batter consistency.
- Pour the mixture over the Stegosaurs toy. The toy may try to float. Simply wait about five minutes and push the toy back below the surface of the excavation.
- Make more mixture if needed until you are able to fill the container and cover the toy.
- Place the Stegosaurs Dig Kit in front of a fan overnight until it is completely dry.
- Distribute the excavation, excavation tools, and safety goggles to your Excavating Adventurer and have fun watching them dig in and discover the fun Stegosaurs toy you have hidden inside.
Stegosaurus Unleashed: Spiky Tales and Prehistoric Marvels!
Fun Facts about Stegosaurus:
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Stegosaurus had a double row of bony plates running down its back, making it one of the most recognizable dinosaurs!
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Despite their fearsome appearance, Stegosaurus was an herbivore, munching on plants like ferns and mosses with their tiny teeth.
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The plates on Stegosaurus were not just for show—they likely played a role in regulating the dinosaur's body temperature, absorbing or releasing heat as needed.
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Some Stegosaurus species had sharp spikes on their tails, known as thagomizers. These could be used as defense against predators.
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Stegosaurus had one of the smallest brains compared to its body size of any dinosaur, similar to the size of a walnut.
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These magnificent dinosaurs lived during the Late Jurassic Period, around 155-150 million years ago.
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Stegosaurus walked on four sturdy legs, with its hind legs being longer than its front legs.
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The name "Stegosaurus" means "roofed lizard" in Greek, referring to the arrangement of its bony plates.
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Stegosaurus had a relatively small head and a long, flexible neck that allowed it to browse on vegetation.
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The tail of Stegosaurus had a flexible section near the end, which allowed it to swing its tail side to side.
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Stegosaurus likely had a complex digestive system to process tough plant material, possibly using bacteria in its gut to help break it down.
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Fossil evidence suggests that Stegosaurus may have had colorful skin patterns, similar to modern-day reptiles.
Remember, these facts offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of Stegosaurus, but there is much more to explore and discover about these incredible creatures!
Take some time to explore the Excavating Adventures website. We have monthly excavations that get delivered right to your door, Build Your Own excavations, a blog filled with amazing excavation ideas, trivia, tons of free stuff, fossil dig kits, and much, much, more!
