On this page will be microfossil collections designed for classroom use. Each will be suitable for multiple students and can be used multiple times (or indefinitely depending on how the class is structured). The descriptions will accurately describe the contents of each collection so you can determine how suitable they are for your needs.
In some of the collections a set of heavy card posters are included that describe and discuss the relevant fossils. These are not laid out in the form of lesson plans, but the information on them can easily be incorporated. We will leave the planning of all lessons to you!
This collection is a basic, entry level collection and does not require any prior knowledge from students. It is simply designed to get children to look at fossil matrix under the microscope and have a poke around to see what they can find.
A basic identification card shows higher level categories (such as "this is a snail, this is a brachiopod" etc. If the teacher wishes to expand on the course by describing the morphology of certain fossils (such as the bivalved nature of ostracods etc.) then the samples do contain the appropriate richness to do this.
In the collection are samples from the Palaeozoic, Cenozoic and modern day, which effectively show how microfossil faunas have changed, but also remained similar, over time.
Full geological data is given with each sample, although the actual contents varies based on the availability of samples at any given time.
There is enough material for up to 30 students, with a measuring spoon being included so each participant gets the ame amount of material and to insure there is enough to go round. Full instructions on how many scoops are recommended for each sample are included.
A collection of 14 different samples ranging from the Cretaceous to Miocene.
No teaching aids are included with this collection as the classes can to tailored based on how the material is to be presented e.g. focusing solely on foraminifera or faunal changes over time etc.
The 10ml vials will contain abundant fossils but it is suggested groups of students share alarger portion of each vial to get a clear overview of the material. That said, this material can also be used for just poking around with no further instruction.
This class discusses the important Lower Devonian Rhynie Chert of Scotland.
Taking a single species of plant (Aglaophyton major) as the subject, the nature of the chert, it's age and formation, flora and fauna, predation, and interactions between species are discussed in regards as to how they relate to Aglaophyton.
No attempt is made to describe every species that occurs in the chert, only those for which direct interaction with Aglaophyton can be shown (such as arthropods and fungi).
The information is presented on a series of A4 size, professionally printed colour cardstock posters (the same ones we sell for exhibits and displays on the chert).
A selection of 6 thin sections of chert that preserve Aglaophyton and many of the species discussed on the posters are also included.
A slice of polished chert will also be included as a hand sample.
£
Coming soon
Permian Freshwater Vertebrates of Waurika, Oklahoma
This collection focuses on just a single geological deposit (the Lower Permian Wellington Formation of Waurika, Oklahoma), yet it is one who's fauna can be used in a variety of palaeontological discussions.
The collection consists of a sample of vertebrate rich fossil matrix that can be studied or picked for mounting on slides.
The material preserves a rich shark and fish fauna allowing discussions of species types, tooth morphology, scale and tooth types, faunal make-up, life habits, palaeoenvironment etc.
A set of professionally printed A4 heavy card information poster accompany the collection and describe the more common species that can be found, the animals to which they belonged, and the palaeovironment of the Waurika locality.
Periodically amphibian and reptile fossils can also be found and these too are described and illustrated on the information posters.
A measuring scoop is included so the matrix can be evenly divided between pupils. Enough material for 10 groups of 2 to 3 children is included. A microscope is essential to view this material.
£
Coming soon
Devonian Conodonts Teaching Kit
This kit includes a series of heavy card stock information posters that illustrate the main types of conodonts found in the Late Devonian.
For ease of identification and introduction to the subject, this kit is designed using the old fashioned method of conodont study where every different type was given a separate species name. It is obviously now known that conodont jaws were made up of several different elements, making many species names obsolete, but information on how elements are associated to one another can be hard to track down. Literature using the old fashioned method is much easier to find, and for introductory studies this is more than sufficient.
A sample of conodont bearing matrix that includes specimens of the types illustrated on the information cards is included and is designed for use by up to 10 groups of tow or three students.
The kit does contain a brief overview of the conodont animal, but is designed primarily to allow students to pick and identify species based on their morphology.
£
Coming soon
Foraminifera and Ostracod poster and matrix kit
Designed in a similar fashion to our conodont course, this kit includes hard card posters that illustrate some of the major types of ostracods and foraminifera that appear in the fossil record.
The samples that accompany the kit include types representative of the figured types.
Kit is designed for up to 10 groups of 2 to 3 children.
The kit does contain a brief overview of the ostracod and foraminifera animals, but is designed primarily to allow students to pick and identify species based on their morphology.
£
Coming soon
Silurian Microfossils of Gotland
A collection of A4 and A6 size prints illustrating microfossils from the Silurian of Gotland.
All are Scanning Electron Microscope images that show the fossils in remarkable detail.
This set will be coming soon and the price is just an estimate.