Don’t Be Left in the Dark! The Great Eclipse August 21, 2017


Priscilla Robinson, Educational Innovationsby Priscilla Robinson

Science teachers aren’t the only ones energized about the eclipse of the Sun.  People everywhere are anticipated to take time on Monday to view this cosmic phenomenon.  All of North America will be in its path, with a huge swath of the United States witnessing a total solar eclipse.  From Salem, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina, twelve states are in the path of totality.  So whether you are a teacher just back to school or a parent trying to make some final summer memories, check it out.  It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for you and the kids.

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Fossils and Dinosaurs Discussion Starters


Discussion Starters - Educational Innovations NewsletterIt’s easy to start a discussion about fossils and paleontology.  Just ask your students to name their favorite dinosaurs.  Almost everybody has a dino fave!

Depending upon the grade(s) you teach, your discussion may revolve around characteristics and classification of specific dinosaurs… the concept of extinction… or even the field of paleontology.  We’ve amassed a wealth of links and ideas that will help you get your class excited about learning more.  So… start digging!

If you have any ideas for new discussion starters on this topic, share with us in the comments section below, and be sure to browse our selection of fun and educational paleontology and life science experiments!

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Fossils and Dinosaurs TV


EI TV - Educational Innovations BlogAn astonishing amount of information can be learned from fossilized bones that are millions of years old, but what about the many questions that we can’t know for sure?  How fast did dinosaurs move?  Did any species have feathers?  Who picks the names of newly-discovered species?  We may not have any living specimens around to observe, but there are hundreds of excellent videos that share information about what dino life might have been like.

If you find a video that you’d like to share with us, please leave a comment!

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Fossils and Dinosaurs Lesson


Lesson - Educational Innovations BlogAt Educational Innovations, we love helping teachers come up with new, exciting ways to explore science topics with their students.  And let’s face it, what child doesn’t love dinosaurs and fossils?

The fact is, there are just so many ways to bring this subject into the classroom like activities and experiments that we couldn’t decide on a single lesson that would appeal to all students and teachers. Luckily, the “interwebs” are chockful of excellent lesson ideas.

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Fossils and Dinosaurs in the News


Dinosaurs may be extinct, but our fascination with them is alive and well!  There seems to be a never-ending stream of new fossil discoveries around the globe, often leading to new species being named.  It’s an exciting time to be an archaeologist, paleontologist, or just a “plain” dinosaur lover!

Read on for some interesting news reports related to dinosaurs and fossils.  Let us know if you find an article you’d like us to post!

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