Key Stage 1/2

12 02, 2026

Celebrating Women in Science: Palaeontologist’s First Single Author Paper

By Mike|2026-02-13T07:15:06+00:00February 12th, 2026|Categories: Key Stage 1/2|0 Comments

This week we celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It is time to acknowledge the achievements of female researchers and their contribution to scientific disciplines. At Everything Dinosaur, we try and support aims and aspirations. For example, we recently congratulated British palaeontologist Megan Jacobs on the publication of her first sole-authored scientific paper. Published in the prestigious Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, the study examined the history of research into dinosaur tracks found on the Isle of Wight.

A dinosaur footprint from the Isle of Wight.

A tridactyl dinosaur print from the Isle of Wight (size 8 foot for scale). Picture credit: Megan Jacobs.

Picture credit: Megan Jacobs

This island is known as the “Dinosaur Isle”. It is one of the most important places in Europe for dinosaur footprints and tracks. These trace fossils highlight the diversity of the Dinosauria. They are especially important for example, in strata representing the Vectis Formation, as dinosaur body fossils are rare. The tracks indicate the presence of theropods, ornithopods and armoured dinosaurs.

A first solo authored scientific paper is an important milestone in the career of a scientist. Its publication reminds us of how an iguanodontian track helped inspire teaching activities as part of a term topic programme supporting Key Stage 2 teaching. Our drawing of a large footprint from the Isle of Wight was one of a series of teaching resources we developed to help explain different types of fossils.

Ornithopod pes. Dinosaur footprints found on beach.

Line drawing of the hind footprint of a large ornithopod (iguanodontid). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Historiography of Dinosaur Footprints

The new paper explores how scientists have documented, studied and debated these ancient footprints over time. It delves into the historiography of fossil track studies, shedding light on how earlier interpretations have shaped our current understanding of dinosaur behaviour and palaeoecology. Furthermore, her work offers more than a detailed review of fossil tracks. It highlights the value of historical science, showing how past researchers built knowledge piece by piece. For many years, dinosaur footprints were seen as curiosities. Now, with detailed historical analysis, they are recognised as important evidence of behaviour, movement and ecosystem dynamics.

This publication also marks a key moment for Jacobs’ career. Publishing a solo authored paper in a prestigious journal is a major achievement for any palaeontologist. Her work exemplifies how women are making essential contributions to dinosaur science — from tracks and bones to evolutionary insights.

An example of Isle of Wight dinosaur footprints.

An ornithopod print from the Isle of Wight. Picture credit: Megan Jacobs.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The University of Portsmouth graduate has studied body fossils from the Isle of Wight too. For example, back in 2021 we authored a blog post about the discovery of a large Isle of Wight dromaeosaurid (Vectiraptor greeni). Its fossils had been found by local fossil collector Mick Green on the foreshore of Compton Bay.

To read our 2021 post about V. greeni: Newly Described Dromaeosaurid Dinosaur from the Isle of Wight.

Tracks Preserve Behaviours

The study of dinosaur footprints continues to be a vibrant field. Tracks preserve behaviours that body fossils alone cannot show — from walking and running to group movement and hunting strategies. Megan Jacobs’ paper not only honours the scientists who came before but also pushes the field forward by encouraging deeper reflection on how we study fossils. The relatively abundant and easily accessible dinosaur prints on the Isle of Wight continue to inform and spark enthusiasm for studying the Earth Sciences.

As we celebrate the role of women and girls in science, Megan’s first solo authored paper demonstrates her contribution to UK palaeontology. Her work inspires the next generation of researchers to explore Earth’s ancient past with fresh perspective and rigour. After all, a single ornithopod track from the Isle of Wight inspired us to create dinosaur themed teaching studies.

We wish Megan every success with her career.

The scientific paper: “The historiography of dinosaur footprints of the Lower Cretaceous Wealden Group on the Isle of Wight, UK” by Megan L. Jacobs published in the Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association.

6 12, 2023

A Fun Dinosaur Themed Teaching Activity for Young Children

By Mike|2024-03-09T15:03:00+00:00December 6th, 2023|Categories: Early Years Foundation Reception, Educational Activities, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos/Schools|0 Comments

Whilst sorting our image archive, we came across a super example of a dinosaur themed teaching activity. In December 2019 Everything Dinosaur visited Greenhill Primary in Bury (Greater Manchester). The teaching team had invited us in to help with the Year 1 term topic. The children had been learning all about dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. One of the areas of learning the teachers wanted to focus upon was improving literacy.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Themed Teaching Activity

The dedicated and enthusiastic teaching team had prepared a comprehensive term topic. A topic that would appeal to a variety of learning styles. The children were excited and keen to demonstrate their knowledge.

Dinosaurs appeal to children. Many are fascinated by them, and a clever term topic can really engage young minds. If the children are motivated and enthused, they will quickly develop new skills and gain confidence with writing and reading.

The colourful drawings of prehistoric animals posted around the classroom helped to encourage the pupils in their own creative writing.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

8 09, 2023

Colourful and Charming Dinosaur Eggs

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:35:44+00:00September 8th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Early Years Foundation Reception, Educational Activities, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos|0 Comments

Team members at Everything Dinosaur spotted some colourful dinosaur eggs in a carefully constructed nest on a visit to a Cheshire primary school. Whilst reviewing some teaching work from early 2018, we found a picture of the beautiful dinosaur eggs.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Eggs

The photograph of the dinosaur nest was taken on a visit to Little Leigh primary in Cheshire. Everything Dinosaur had been invited into the school to deliver a workshop to Year 1 children who were learning about dinosaurs. The dedicated teaching team created the eggs, and the children were asked about what materials could go into the nest to keep the eggs safe. This exercise was a great way for the pupils to explore the properties of materials. In addition, to learning about dinosaur eggs, the pupils had the opportunity to examine different nesting materials.

To contact Everything Dinosaur to learn more about our outreach work: Email Everything Dinosaur.

A Dinosaur Workshop

A spokesperson from the UK-based mail order company commented that they remembered the school visit. The spacious Year 1 classrooms were filled with lots of examples of the children’s work. One of the teachers had constructed a small dinosaur museum in a corner of the room.

A dinosaur museum at a primary school (Little Leigh, Cheshire). — *A dinosaur museum spotted at a school. Picture credit: Little Leigh Primary/Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Little Leigh Primary/Everything Dinosaur

The spokesperson added:

“The children were very enthusiastic, and they wanted to give us a tour of their classroom. We enjoyed visiting the dinosaur museum. However, we had to cut our visit short, we had a dinosaur and fossil workshop to deliver.”

Afterwards we chatted to the teaching team. They thanked us for the visit, and we congratulated them on their excellent scheme of work.

To visit the Everything Dinosaur award-winning website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

26 08, 2023

A Dinosaur Letter – An Example of Creative Writing

By Mike|2024-01-02T14:55:59+00:00August 26th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Dinosaur Fans, Educational Activities, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Team members were going through their image archive when they came across a beautiful dinosaur letter. The letter had been sent into Everything Dinosaur by a girl called Emma. Emma was a pupil at Streethouse Primary school when Everything Dinosaur visited in November 2017.

Team members were invited into the school to work with the Key Stage 2 class for a morning. The workshop provided a provocation for the term topic. Over the course of the morning, we challenged the children to have a go at a variety of extension activities.

A Dinosaur Letter

Year 5 and Year 6 children and their letters to Everything Dinosaur — *Cursive writing on display from Year 5/6.*

Picture credit: Emma from Streethouse Primary School

We remember visiting the school back in 2017. It was a pleasure to meet such enthusiastic pupils.

In Emma’s letter she thanked Everything Dinosaur for the school visit and stated:

“You made me more confident in answering questions.”

The Key Stage 2 pupil went onto add:

“Thank you so much for being inspiring.”

Our thanks to Emma for her wonderful comments.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

22 07, 2023

Counting Rare Fossil Ichthyosaur Coprolites

By Mike|2024-01-02T15:14:17+00:00July 22nd, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Early Years Foundation Reception, Educational Activities, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos/Pictures of Fossils, Teaching|0 Comments

On a visit to the Manchester Museum a team member overheard a grandmother challenging her grandchildren. Her young charges were tasked with counting the fossils in a display cabinet. The cabinet contained various ichthyosaur fossil specimens. Part of the exhibit included marine reptile fossil dung (coprolite). The grandmother asked the children to have a go at counting ichthyosaur coprolites.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Gaining Numeracy Confidence Counting Ichthyosaur Coprolites

The children were enjoying their visit to the Manchester Museum. After the photographs in front of the Tyrannosaurus rex cast (Stan), the grandmother set the counting challenge. We are not sure whether she knew that the display cases contained fossils of marine reptile poo, but the children were undeterred. They eagerly accepted the counting challenge.

Counting games can help young children become more confident. Counting games can help them to develop confidence with numeracy.

Tyrannosaurus rex cast skeleton on display — *The Tyrannosaurus rex cast on display at the Manchester Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“There is lots to see and lots to do at the Manchester Museum. Staff hand out worksheets and encourage children to take part in various activities themed around the exhibits. We have not come across an activity that involved counting ichthyosaur coprolites before. We congratulate the family for their innovation.”

An Ichthyosaurus model — *A model of an ichthyosaur. The Ichthyosaurus model (Wild Safari Prehistoric World) ready to take its turn on the Everything Dinosaur turntable. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The image (above) shows a typical replica of an ichthyosaur. This is the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Ichthyosaurus model.

To view this range: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Models and Figures.

The spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur added:

“There is an extensive display of ichthyosaur and other marine reptile fossil material on display. Several of the fossils of ichthyosaurs come from the Dorset coast. We have found some ichthyosaur fossils on the Dorset coast too. We do have ichthyosaur coprolite fossils in our collection. However, we have never played a counting coprolite game unlike the grandchildren.”

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

17 05, 2023

Cave Art Recreated by Pupils

By Mike|2023-06-14T07:03:27+01:00May 17th, 2023|Categories: Adobe CS5, Educational Activities, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos/Schools, Teaching|0 Comments

Everything Dinosaur team members were reviewing some wonderful examples of cave art created by Year 3 and Year 4 pupils. The children attended Bowlee Community Primary, and they had been studying life in the Stone Age. As part of an exciting and diverse term topic the children had recreated cave paintings.

Cave art recreated by pupils. — *A wonderful example of “Stone Age” cave art recreated by pupils at Bowlee Community Primary. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Recreating Cave Art

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur recalled visiting the school in 2017 and again in 2018. He praised the teaching team for their dedication and enthusiasm. The examples of the Stone Age drawings had been put on display outside the classroom. The children explained that they had enjoyed learning about their ancestors. They enjoyed creating the cave art and they were fascinated by the pictures of real cave art their teacher had shown them.

For inspirational teaching resources visit Everything Dinosaur’s child-friendly website: Everything Dinosaur.

26 03, 2023

A Clever and Creative Dinosaur Wall Display

By Mike|2024-01-02T16:07:55+00:00March 26th, 2023|Categories: Educational Activities, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos, Teaching|0 Comments

A colourful dinosaur wall display was spotted in a classroom when Everything Dinosaur team members conducted a dinosaur workshop at the school. The Year Two pupils had been learning all about prehistoric animals and fossils. The wall display had been produced during the term topic exploring “Would a Dinosaur Make a Good Pet”?

A Colourful Dinosaur Wall Display

Children at Oakdene Primary produced fact sheets featuring their favourite prehistoric animal. There were fact sheets on Velociraptor, Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. The eager, young palaeontologists had illustrated their dinosaur data sheets. The pictures and fact sheets were then posted up onto the “Wow Wall” in the classroom. The dinosaur facts and other learning materials made an attractive and most informative display.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We visited Oakdene Primary some years ago to deliver a dinosaur themed workshop. Everything Dinosaur had been invited into the school to support the children’s learning. At the time we praised the colourful wall display, and we were given permission to take a photograph.”

Learning About Dinosaurs

The spokesperson explained that Everything Dinosaur team members always tried to encourage children and to help them with their studies. Team members were quick to praise the teaching team for their hard work and dedication.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.

Many schools in England and Wales introduce a dinosaur and fossil themed term topic. Foundation Stage pupils as they transition from Nursery to Reception can find a dinosaur topic helpful. Year 3 pupils often learn about fossils and dinosaurs when studying rocks and soils.

A dinosaur term topic is also enjoyed by the teaching team. It certainly brings out plenty of creativity in the pupils that Everything Dinosaur team members have met.

11 10, 2022

Fossils and Rocks with Year 3

By Mike|2022-10-16T17:16:09+01:00October 11th, 2022|Categories: Educational Activities, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos/Schools, Teaching|0 Comments

Whilst examining some old files on the Everything Dinosaur database, team members came across a picture of a wonderful dinosaur themed wall display at Pebble Brook Primary, when Everything Dinosaur visited to conduct a workshop all about dinosaurs, fossils and rocks.

The children had been studying soils, rocks and fossils as part of their work during the autumn term and to start the topic with an event, a team member was invited to the school to lead a series of dinosaur and fossil themed workshops for the day.

During a pause in the busy schedule, a photograph of a very colourful wall display created by the children was taken.

A Delightful and Colourful Dinosaur Wall Display

Fossils and rocks studied by Year 3 pupils. — *Year 3 children learn about dinosaurs, fossils, rocks and volcanoes in a term topic entitled “Dinosaurs Yabba Dabba Doo”! Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Pebble Brook Primary.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur/Pebble Brook Primary

Exploring Fossils and Rocks

The children investigated how fossils form, how they feel and what they can tell us about animals that lived in the past and extinction. For the science element of the term topic, the class have been examining numerous types of rock, exploring the school grounds and the buildings to identify different types of stone and rock.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We remember visiting the school on a couple of occasions to work with different classes and enrich their curriculum. The classrooms were full of colourful artwork and delightful wall displays. We all had a great time”

Everything Dinosaur stocks a wide range of prehistoric animal themed crafts and art materials as well as replicas of dinosaurs and famous animals such as trilobites, belemnites and ammonites from the fossil record. All the items that the UK-based mail order company stocks have been tested and approved by the company’s teaching team.

To view the range of products available, visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Dinosaur Crafts for Kids.

26 07, 2022

Remembering School Workshops in Blackpool

By Mike|2022-10-19T13:44:25+01:00July 26th, 2022|Categories: Adobe CS5, Educational Activities, General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Photos/Schools, Press Releases|0 Comments

Whilst reviewing some old files in the Everything Dinosaur offices as part of our compliance with GDPR regulations, team members came across some feedback from teachers after we had delivered as series of prehistoric animal themed workshops at Unity Academy in Lancashire.

Everything Dinosaur had been invited to participate in the “Blackpool Celebrating Science Conference”. This event, which took place back in 2015 is well remembered by our staff. We prepared and delivered two workshops around the theme of “A Jurassic World”. We received excellent feedback from the teachers that observed our workshops.

One teacher commented:

“Fabulous! Very interesting! Children really engaged and focused. Thoroughly, enjoyed it – thank you.”

Feedback from Blackpool — *Five stars for Everything Dinosaur. Excellent feedback received by Everything Dinosaur after workshops supporting the “Blackpool Celebrating Science Conference”.*

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A second teacher, who attended one of our workshops with her Key Stage 2 pupils added:

“Very informative and entertaining”

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated that team members were delighted to have received the feedback and it was a pleasure working with all the enthusiastic and highly motivated children.

To view the range of educational prehistoric animal toys and gifts available from Everything Dinosaur’s user-friendly and award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur.

11 04, 2021

“The Plesiosaur’s Neck” – A New Book

By Mike|2024-05-25T13:56:21+01:00April 11th, 2021|Categories: Adobe CS5, Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Early Years Foundation Reception, Key Stage 1/2, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

“The Plesiosaur’s Neck” by Dr Adam S. Smith and Jonathan Emmett with illustrations by Adam Larkum.

Expert on the Plesiosauria, Dr Adam S. Smith (Curator of Natural Sciences at the Nottingham Natural History Museum at Wollaton Hall, Nottinghamshire), has teamed up with award-winning children’s author Jonathan Emmett to create a delightful tale explaining how some prehistoric marine reptiles developed long necks.

Poppy is an Albertonectes, a plesiosaur named after the Canadian province of Alberta, where fossils of this giant with a seven-metre-long neck have been found, but what was that extremely long neck used for?

Poppy the Plesiosaur

Did Poppy use her enormous neck to help keep herself free of parasites? Or was she the equivalent of an electric eel generating electricity to shock any unsuspecting fish that happened to swim too close? In “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”, budding young palaeontologists get the opportunity to explore these entertaining hypotheses in a plesiosaur-themed prehistoric puzzle.

At more than eleven metres long, Albertonectes was a giant. The huge neck made up almost two-thirds of the animal’s entire body length and this delightful book examines some of the ideas that palaeontologists have proposed to explain this peculiar, plesiosaur body plan.

Checking over an exhibit. — Dr Adam Smith examining a cast of dinosaur vertebrae for an exhibition at Wollaton Hall. The talented Curator of Natural Sciences at the Nottingham Natural History Museum has helped to write a children’s book entitled “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”.

Prehistoric Puns

A mixture of playful, rhyming text and prehistoric puns guides the reader through the story. Members of the Mollusca have a prominent role to play with Alfie the ammonite and Bella the belemnite chiming in with cheeky comments whilst Dr Adam Smith ensures a smorgasbord of facts and information about life in the sea during the time of the dinosaurs. The book will entertain and inform children from 5 years and upwards in equal measure.

Beautifully illustrated by Adam Larkum, a graduate of the Edinburgh College of Art, “The Plesiosaur’s Neck” combines colourful characters with a cornucopia of fun facts. It is an entertaining exploration of a genuine palaeontological puzzle focused on a plesiosaur with an astonishing seventy-six bones in its neck.

Published in May 2021

“The Plesiosaurs Neck” ISBN number 9781912979424 is due to be published on the 6th of May (2021), by Uclan Publishing. Priced at £7.99 it can be purchased here: Purchase “The Plesiosaur’s Neck”.