Amateur Fossil Collector Finds Two-metre-long Ichthyosaurus Fossil

Fossil collector Jonathan Bow made the discovery of a life time last September when he spotted an unusual rock whilst walking along the foreshore at Penarth (Vale of Glamorgan).  This part of the Welsh coast is one of the most popular locations for fossil hunting in the whole of the British Isles.  Fossils are eroded out of the cliffs and scattered along the beach, strong tides in the area scour the cliffs and a lot of fossil material dating from the Early Jurassic is deposited.

Fossils normally include pieces of ammonites, brachiopods and gastropods but occasionally fragments of vertebrate bone are found.  These fossils are from marine reptiles, paddle bones and occasional vertebrae can be picked up, but Jonathan’s discovery is truly exceptional.

A Replica of an Ichthyosaurus (Himalayasaurus)

The PNSO Tucson the Himalayasaurus, a fantastic replica of a giant ichthyosaur.

Ichthyosaurs

Ichthyosaurs are not dinosaurs, they are reptiles but belong to a separate group of the Reptilia not closely related to the Dinosauria.  Early Jurassic forms resembled dolphins and these animals thrived in marine environments for over 130 million years.

Commenting on the fossil find a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“This is a remarkable discovery.  The specimen is almost complete and indicates that this animal died and was rapidly buried before currents or scavengers could scatter the bones.”

Ichthyosaurus from South Wales

Everything Dinosaur has a number of ichthyosaur specimens in its fossil collection.  Most of the fossils are from an ichthyosaur species known as Ichthyosaurus communis.  This year, 2014 marks the bicentennial of the publication of the first scientific paper describing an ichthyosaur.

To read the story of the discovery of a huge ichthyosaur fossil in England: The Rutland Ichthyosaur.

The spokesperson from the educational company staffed by real dinosaur experts warned that on this part of the Welsh coast it was inadvisable to stray to close to the cliffs.

“The very mechanism that deposits fossils onto the shore, the action of the sea, is also eroding the surrounding cliffs at an alarming rate. Rock falls are common and we urge visitors to the area to take care and not to stray to close to the cliffs themselves.  There are plenty of fossils to find along the seashore.”

Everything Dinosaur stocks a large range of ichthyosaur replicas along with models of other types of marine reptile.  To view the range: Sea Monsters – Models and Replicas.

Dinosaur Themed Extension Ideas Provided by Everything Dinosaur

Our team members are always keen to advise teachers and learning support providers with regards to extension activities to be conducted after a visit from one of our experts.

As part of our work, whether it is with Key Stage 1, 2 or even Key Stage 3 students, we are happy to work in collaboration with the teaching team to ensure learning objectives are being reinforced.  For example, with Key Stage 3 students we can provide helpful support materials to ensure a lively and informed debate about the ethics of cloning when it comes to the resurrection of long extinct species such as the Woolly Mammoth. Whereas, with Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 students. we can help with recounts and activities that emphasis the concept of scientific working.

Providing Extension Activities

Key Stage 2 Teacher Lists Extension Activities after Dinosaur Workshop

A teacher lists the extension ideas during a dinosaur workshop.

Picture credit: Hurst Green Primary

“Pinkie Palaeontologist Challenges”

In the example above, the teacher requested advice on how to build in a focus on English and hand-writing after a visit from Everything Dinosaur to Year 3.  We agreed to set a series of what we call “pinkie palaeontologist challenges” to the class.  These challenges involved the children recounting their work with Everything Dinosaur, writing thank you letters, producing scientific posters and devising their very own prehistoric animal based on a set of criteria provided by the Everything Dinosaur team member.

Such activities link nicely to other elements of the curriculum, and we even promised to show case some of the children’s work on Everything Dinosaur’s web log, thus allowing elements of the ICT syllabus to be covered to.

Commenting on the dinosaur workshop, the teacher stated:

“It was an excellent session, informative and fun with loads of hands on activities for the children (and staff).  Five stars!”

See the extensive range of dinosaur toys and games available from Everything Dinosaur: Gifts and Dinosaur Toys.

Deinocheirus mirificus – Very ” Peculiar Terrible Hand”

Yesterday, a team of international scientists published a scientific paper on the bizarre dinosaur called Deinocheirus.  Everything Dinosaur team members had published data on this prehistoric animal and reported on the research almost a year ago, when it was discussed at the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology conference.  Anyway, it is important for teachers to note that the science of palaeontology is ever changing.  New fossil discoveries and new techniques used to study previously well-described fossil material are providing lots of new insights into the Dinosauria.

An Illustration of Deinocheirus

Adding a hump to a dinosaur. An illustration of the CollectA deluxe Deinocheirus dinosaur model.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Deinocheirus

The first fossils of this dinosaur consisting of a huge pair of arms over 2.4 metres on length were discovered by a joint Mongolia/Polish expedition to the exposed Nemegt Formation in the Gobi Desert.  This expedition was led by a remarkable woman, Professor Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska.  An announcement about the fossil discovery was made a year later and in 1970 a new genus and species of dinosaur was erected based on a study of the fossilised arm bones and a few other fragmentary pieces of bone that had been found at the same location.

This dinosaur was named Deinocheirus mirificus, the name translates from the Greek to mean “peculiar, terrible hand”.  Just how peculiar, scientists have had to wait the best part of fifty years to find out.

To read more about the research about Deinocheirus, believed to be one of the largest omnivores that ever lived: Deinocheirus 2014 Research.

Changing Perceptions

One of the important things to note about Earth sciences such as palaeontology which has connotations in how the theory of evolution is explained and interpreted, is that new fossil finds and discoveries can alter views and perceptions.  For example, the much more complete fossils found of Deinocheirus which helped scientists piece together a much more detailed description of this dinosaur have raised a number of questions about this Late Cretaceous prehistoric animal.

It had a pygostyle (fused tail vertebrae), like a bird.  It is the only dinosaur in the ornithomimid (bird mimic) family that had a pygostyle as far as we know.  Finding this anatomical feature on this huge dinosaur, has led palaeontologists to review other ornithomimid fossils to see if closely related dinosaurs in this family may have possessed fused tail vertebrae.

A Model of Deinocheirus (CollectA Deluxe)

Scientists speculate that Deinocheirus was covered in simple feathers.

To view the CollectA Deluxe Deinocheirus dinosaur model and the rest of the CollectA Deluxe range of prehistoric animal models: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Life Figures.

Certificate of Achievement for North West Science Alliance

The efforts of the North West Science Alliance  in helping to advance the general public’s understanding of science was recognised earlier this week with the award of a Certificate of Achievement.  The award given by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), was presented to Lorelly Wilson, the Chairperson of the Science Alliance.  There are a great many dedicated members of the scientific community who give freely of their time to help educate and inform.  The award was presented by “Dinosaur Mike”, of Everything Dinosaur.

North West Science Alliance

North West Science Alliance Wins Award

Lorelly Wilson accepts award.

The North-West branch of the British Science Association is involved in many educational projects, including science festivals, workshops, SciBars (a science event held in a pub) and other hands-on, practical activities.

Everything Dinosaur

Mike Walley a team member of Everything Dinosaur, a company which has been involved in a substantial amount of out-reach to help inform the general public about advances in the Earth Sciences presented the award at a special meeting held at the headquarters of BASF.

Commenting on the award, Mike stated:

“It was a great pleasure to present this award to the hard-working members of the North West Science Alliance.  We applaud their work in the community and we look forward to hearing about their plans for 2015 and beyond.”

To visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Visit Everything Dinosaur’s Website.

Major Educational Model Manufacturer Acknowledges the Work of Everything Dinosaur

Safari Ltd of the United States of America, the business behind the Carnegie Collectibles range of scale model dinosaurs has acknowledged Everything Dinosaur’s educational role.  Safari Ltd, who also make the Wild Safari Dinos range of prehistoric animal replicas, has awarded Everything Dinosaur “Safariologist” status.

“Safariologist” Status

Everything Dinosaur Receives Recognition

Everything Dinosaur is accredited by Safari Ltd.

Picture credit: Safari Ltd

Safari Ltd Dinosaur Models

Florida based Safari Ltd, introduced the “Safariologist” concept to highlight some of the educational websites that use the company’s products to help promote creative, imaginative play as well as to educate and inform. Everything Dinosaur is the first specialist dinosaur company to be inducted into the “Safariologist” programme (or program as our American chums call it).

To view the huge range of Safari Ltd prehistoric animals available from Everything Dinosaur: Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Prehistoric World.

Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur, uses a lot of the Safari Ltd products to help educate young children about fossils.  For example, a Wild Safari Dinos ammonite model is used to illustrate what palaeontologists believe Ammonites actually looked like, when we explore fossils with children in Key Stage 1 and 2.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur explained:

“We are very proud to have received this honour from Safari Ltd.  We use a lot of their models and replicas in our teaching work.  The extensive Safari Ltd catalogue has also proved very useful to us when we come to illustrate articles we write for teachers and home educators about new dinosaur discoveries. We have been delighted to have been able to stock Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Prehistoric World models”

Everything Dinosaur’s School Website

It has been just over a week since the new teaching website managed by Everything Dinosaur was launched and already there has been a high demand for the free downloads of teaching resources.  Teachers and home educators from as far away as the western United States and Australia have taken advantage of the helpful teaching articles and downloads.

A New Website

The web site was set up to help educationalists find reliable dinosaur and fossil themed teaching resources, to assist in schemes of work involving teaching about the Earth sciences such as geology and palaeontology.

Successful Launch of Everything Dinosaur’s Teaching Website

Teaching tips, articles, resources and free downloads, plus lots of prehistoric animal and dinosaur toys that can be found at Everything Dinosaur’s website.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson for the Cheshire based company stated:

“We are delighted with the uptake, our dedicated team are being kept very busy dealing with teaching enquiries, advising on lesson plans and sending out resources to support extension activities.”

With the new curriculum in England being introduced this month, with an emphasis on “working scientifically”, it seems that this new website dedicated to dinosaur themed teaching resources has been very well received.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

New Teaching Curriculum in England

The new national curriculum for England will present some exciting opportunities and challenges.  A “rigorous” curriculum is being introduced with Mathematics, English and Science regarded as core subjects with pupils at Key Stage 1 (from five to seven years of age), being introduced to computer algorithms and fractions.  The new curriculum is being rolled out across all state-funded primary and secondary schools.  As with all changes in this field, the aim is to improve educational standards.  Academies will not be required to follow the new curriculum.  State funded schools in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland are managed differently but current practices and guidelines are being reviewed in many areas of the United Kingdom.

New Teaching Curriculum

A New Curriculum in English State Schools – Everything Dinosaur Supplies Teaching Resources

Fossils, books, puzzles and games for schools.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Everything Dinosaur.

Why the Changes to the Curriculum?

Falling standards in schools and demands from universities and employers are the reasons cited by the Dept. of Education for the changes.  When results in subjects like science and maths are compared to the results achieved by students in other countries, there is a fear that students in England might be falling behind.

Everything Dinosaur’s team members will continue to assist learning support providers, the company’s highly regarded dinosaur and fossil workshops in schools already build in a lot of the new curriculum’s aims and objectives.

“Working Scientifically”

The concept of “working scientifically” is at the centre of Everything Dinosaur’s teaching work.  Two years ago, Everything Dinosaur team members reported on the biannual study undertaken by researchers at Boston College (United States of America), which covers the results from two internationally important teaching studies, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and the trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).  In general terms, the United Kingdom had shown good progress in mathematics but standards seemed to be in decline when it came to studying the sciences.

To contact Everything Dinosaur about educational resources in schools: Email Everything Dinosaur.

We would like to wish all the students starting the new curriculum (and their teachers) every success.

September 2014 New Term, New Curriculum

The new curriculum for England starts this week and Everything Dinosaur team members would like to wish all the teachers, learning support providers and administration staff every success with the curriculum which has been described by the Prime Minister as “tough and rigorous”.  Our focus remains on providing assistance and support to schools, especially those state funded institutions that are rolling out the new schemes of work.

A Teaching Website

The launch of Everything Dinosaur’s new teaching website is timely and apposite, the new website is aimed at supporting teaching work and our experts have produced a website that provides free downloadable dinosaur and fossil themed teaching resources, lesson plan guides, links to teaching aids, helpful articles plus hints and tips on science teaching from Early Years up to Key Stage 4 (evolution and genetics).

A Brand New Curriculum – A Brand New Teaching Website

Teaching tips, articles, resources and free downloads.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

New Curriculum

A spokesperson for the company stated:

“The new curriculum for England places a focus on working scientifically and building up scientific knowledge.  With fossils, evolution and climate change in the curriculum, there are lots of opportunities to utilise the free teaching resources and Everything Dinosaur’s highly respected workshops in schools.”

The company intends to add more downloads to its current portfolio, as well as providing fact sheets, art materials and other items all with a prehistoric theme.  A number of downloads have already been requested and Everything Dinosaur team members have been fielding enquiries from as far away as California.

The spokesperson went onto add:

“One of the problems teachers face is having to rely on general education websites and resource providers who lack the up-to-date subject knowledge related to palaeontology.  As we are specialists in this area, Everything Dinosaur can provide more accurate information and tailor made teaching resources in support of those curriculum areas that involve rocks, fossils, habitats, life on Earth, genetics, evolution and of course, dinosaurs.”

 Inaccurate Information Being Provided to Schools

Triceratops? Not very good quality teaching resources.

Inaccurate Teaching Resources

The picture above shows a typically inaccurate teaching resource used in Key Stage 1 and 2.  The dinosaur is not a Triceratops, team members at Everything Dinosaur are not sure whether the image represents a member of the Dinosauria.  Inadvertent use of such inaccurate teaching resources could confuse and mislead pupils.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s website: Visit Everything Dinosaur.