BE ADVISED: On Thursday, October 17 our museums will participate in a brief earthquake drill. Guests will hear an overhead announcement, but are not required to participate, nor will the building be evacuated. Please plan your visit accordingly or contact us at info@nhm.org or 213.763.DINO if you have any questions or would like to reschedule your visit.

BE ADVISED: On Saturday 10/19, the museum will close at 2 PM in preparation for a large event, with some areas closed to the public starting at noon. Boney Island at NHM will be open to the public at 7PM. Please plan your visit accordingly. For more information or to reschedule your visit, email info@nhm.org or call 213.763.DINO.

Tar Pits Fossil Count

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close up of sabertooth skull in fossil lab collections tar pits

Overview

This lesson plan will allow students to explore the museum gallery while counting how many herbivore and carnivore fossils they find. Students will then form hypotheses about ancient life based on the numbers of fossils we find at La Brea Tar Pits.

NGSS standards

  • NGSS Appendix F
    • Practice 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8

Location

  • La Brea Tar Pits Museum Gallery

Materials 

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