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School Science Workshop... Digging Dinosaurs! | Fizzics Education
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Digging Dinosaurs

Digging Dinosaurs

A look at ancient organisms, their traces, relationships & extinction theories

🦖 Living World: Palaeontology

Digging Dinosaurs

Realistic, hands-on science for budding palaeontologists

Students will have a roaring great time in this hands-on workshop designed to look at palaeontology in a realistic way. No slideshows here—just pure scientific inquiry as students work like real palaeontologists to dig out and analyse specimens found in the field.

From handling life-size replica skulls of a Velociraptors to identifying replica fossil skeltons, students explore the ancient world while gaining insight into Australian megafauna and the processes of fossilisation.

Key Investigations:

  • Replica Analysis: Face-to-face with replica Parasaurolophus and Velociraptor skulls.
  • The Dig: Methodical excavation and analysis of different specimens.
  • Fossil Formation: Discover how fossils form and where to find them.
  • Skin & Scales: Feel and compare replica dinosaur skin to modern animals.
  • Megafauna: Explore the local giants that once roamed Australia.
  • Casting: Make your own ancient creature fossil casts to keep!

Real-World Field Expertise

Our founder has participated in real dinosaur digs in outback Queensland. This program is uniquely informed by that field experience, which also helped shape distance learning for the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum.

Ben Newsome dinosaur dig

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

Online Class Option:

Interactive distance programs since 2010. Includes live demonstrations and hands-on activities with full child protection protocols.

🦖
Materials list provided on booking.
🎥
Zoom, Teams, or school software.

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science incursions

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:

Science F-10 Version 9.0

Foundation
  • explore the ways people make and use observations and questions to learn about the natural world AC9SFH01
  • pose questions and make predictions based on experiences AC9SFI01
Year 1
  • identify the basic needs of plants and animals, including air, water, food or shelter, and describe how the places they live meet those needs AC9S1U01
Year 2
  • explore different actions to make sounds and how to make a variety of sounds, and recognise that sound energy causes objects to vibrate AC9S2U02
Year 1 & 2
  • describe how people use science in their daily lives, including using patterns to make scientific predictions AC9S1H0, AC9S2H01
  • pose questions to explore observed simple patterns and relationships and make predictions based on experiences AC9S1I01, AC9S2I01
  • compare observations with predictions and others’ observations, consider if investigations are fair and identify further questions with guidance AC9S1I05, AC9S2I05
Year 3
  • compare characteristics of living and non-living things and examine the differences between the life cycles of plants and animals AC9S3U01
Year 4
  • explain the roles and interactions of consumers, producers and decomposers within a habitat and how food chains represent feeding relationships AC9S4U01
Year 3 & 4
  • examine how people use data to develop scientific explanations AC9S3H01, AC9S4H01
  • consider how people use scientific explanations to meet a need or solve a problem AC9S3H02, AC9S4H02
  • pose questions to explore observed patterns and relationships and make predictions based on observations AC9S3I01, AC9S4I01
  • compare findings with those of others, consider if investigations were fair, identify questions for further investigation and draw conclusions AC9S3I05, AC9S4I05
Year 5
  • examine how particular structural features and behaviours of living things enable their survival in specific habitats AC9S5U01
Year 6
  • investigate the physical conditions of a habitat and analyse how the growth and survival of living things is affected by changing physical conditions AC9S6U01
Year 5 & 6
  • investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions AC9S5H02, AC9S6H02
  • pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions AC9S5I01, AC9S6I01
  • compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned conclusions AC9S5I05, AC9S6I05

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping

NSW Science Syllabus Content

A student:

  • ST2-4LW-S compares features and characteristics of living and non-living things
  • ST3-4LW-S examines how the environment affects the growth, survival and adaptation of living things
  • ST3-10ES-S explains regular events in the solar system and geological events on the Earth’s surface

NSW Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (Implementation from 2027)

For explanatory points & implementation advice, please visit the NESA Science and Technology K–6 Curriculum site.

Early Stage 1

STE-SCI-01 identifies and describes characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and movement

  • Examine animal bodies, their body coverings, and how and what they eat
  • Observe and group animals based on their characteristics and justify the grouping
  • Pose questions to compare the characteristics of living things and non-living things
Stage 1

ST1-SCI-01 measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky

  • Examine the evidence for extinct animals
Stage 2

ST2-SCI-01 uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems

  • Recognise that all animals are either invertebrates with no spine, or vertebrates with a spine
  • Model how bones, muscles and joints work together to cause movement
Stage 3

ST3-SCI-01 uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices

  • Observe behavioural and structural adaptations of plants and animals, and suggest how these may help them survive in their environments
  • Examine evidence that environments have changed over time and continue to change

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping
Print NSW Mapping PDF

VIC Science & Technology Content

VIC Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0

For explanatory points & implementation advice, please visit the VIC Curriculum F-10 site.

Foundation to Level 2
  • plants and animals have observable features that can be used to group them in different ways. VC2S2U01
  • experiences can be used as a basis for posing questions to explore observed patterns and relationships, and to make predictions. VC2S2I01
  • observations, findings and ideas can be shared with others by using everyday and some scientific vocabulary. VC2S2I06
Level 3 & 4
  • living things have characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things and things that were once living, including fossils. VC2S4U01
  • scientific investigations to answer questions or test predictions can be planned and conducted using provided scaffolds, including identifying the attributes of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment. VC2S4I02
Level 5 & 6
  • organisms have evolved over time, as seen in fossils and scientific records; the structural features and behaviours of living organisms enable them to thrive in their environments. VC2S6U02
  • repeatable scientific investigations to answer questions can be planned and conducted, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests, considering potential risks, planning for the safe and ethical use of equipment and materials, and obtaining permissions for investigations conducted on Country and Place or in protected areas. VC2S6I02

VIC F – 6 Science Syllabus mapping
Print VIC Mapping PDF

School Testimonials

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Camberwell Grammar School

Thanks to Ben visiting us yesterday. The boys really enjoyed the experience!

Science Show Activities

Dinosaur dig out

Organise your team to excavate your specimens

Dan the Duck Bill

Replica of a parasaurolophus skull. It's head crest made many loud sounds

Dino Eggs

What did they look like? What did the embryo's look like inside?

Sands of Time

Look at how sedimentation helps to form fossils

Scaly skin

Compare modern animal skins to the replica dinosaur skin

Casting creatures

Makes casts of ancient organism impressions

Birds are Dinos?

Check out the archaeopteryx, a possible precursor to modern birds

For the record

Geological record shows a mass extinction 65 million ago. Why did it occur?

T-rex Puzzle

Mix and match the right bones to form a replica T-Rex skeleton.

Terry Triceratops

Meet the cuddly Triceratops puppet and learn about Cretaceous herbivores

Talking Teeth

Work out which teeth belong to which extinct or modern animal

trex replica
A school fossil incursion students love!

Science workshop content

What Students Experience: The Palaeontology Lab

Students step into the shoes of a working palaeontologist, moving from the theory of extinction to the practical reality of excavation and skeletal reconstruction. This workshop balances hands-on discovery with the latest scientific thinking.

1. The Excavation

After discussing fossil formation, students join a simulated dig. They sweep out and identify replicas, discovering the “rarity of giants”—simulating the realistic abundance of marine fossils compared to rare land-dwelling dinosaurs.

2. Skeletal Assembly

Replicating a real dig site, the class works together to assemble a replica T-Rex model from a pile of bones. This leads into hands-on exploration of fossilised eggs, teeth, skulls, and even replica dinosaur skin.

3. Behavioural Analysis

The session concludes with our animatronic Triceratops. We examine its features to discuss how palaeontologists determine diet and defence, and why its famous frill was likely a display feature rather than armour.

EST. 2004

Our Commitment to Quality Science Education

A Trusted School Partner for 20 Years
Fizzics Education delivers reliable, syllabus-aligned visits that engage students and meet the practical requirements of the Australian classroom.

Hands-on Safety
Using high-quality replica materials to teach rigorous scientific concepts and field methods.
Verified Impact
Highly rated by teachers for classroom management and student engagement during discovery.
Qualified Presenters
Experienced educators trained to facilitate deep-dive inquiry and student investigation.

Real, Verified, Unedited

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Requirements

📊 Workshop Logistics

Session Requirements

👥 Capacity & Timing

👨‍🎓 Attendance: Max 30 students per class.

🏫 Target: Appropriate for Years K to 6.

Duration: 60 or 90 minute versions.

🛠️ Set/Pack: 45 mins setup + 45 mins pack down.

Note: Materials may be varied to suit conditions. Contact your presenter for specific focus requests.

📍 Space & Power

🏗️ Room Layout: 10 tables arranged around the edge of the room.

🔌 Power: Access to 2 standard electrical power sockets.

🪑 Seating: Chairs are not required for students during the session.

COVID Safe

Social Distancing: Contact us to tailor a program to suit your school and the State’s social distancing requirements.

🛡️ $20M Public Liability
WWCC Checked
📋 Full Risk Assessments
🎓 Expert Science Educators

Go Further!

Complete Units of Work to Support Your Teaching

Save time and engage students in STEM year-round with high-quality videos, printable experiments, and full marking rubrics.

Find out more!

Extend the Experience

Pair this workshop with a larger stage show for groups of up to 240 students:

Cost

💰 Workshop Investment

Digging Dinosaurs

$580 inc. GST
60-Minute Workshop
✨ $19.33 per student
(Based on 30 students)

$660 inc. GST
90-Minute Workshop
✨ $22.00 per student
(Based on 30 students)

Early Bird: Book and pay within 7 days to receive 10% off your booking.

🌍 Online: Available as a LIVE interactive online class worldwide.

📍 Regional: We visit country schools via Country Science Tours.

📑 Syllabus: Print a PDF for mapping of all science visits.

Ready to dig in?

Call 1300 856 828

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

Enquire Now

Extension Ideas!

Scientist Q & A

Often students attend our science workshops and shows with questions that stem beyond the covered topic area. Ask a scientist aims to give students a chance to get their questions answered! Run as a 30-minute session at a cost of $70 inc. GST.

Read More

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