On March 3-4, the Primary School sandbox became an excavation site during Viewpoint’s annual Paleontologist Day, as First Grade students carefully dug in search of fossils and prehistoric discoveries.

The hands-on event serves as the culmination of the First Grade dinosaur unit, where students spend months learning about fossils, prehistoric life and the work of paleontologists before stepping into the role themselves.

“Since January, my students have fully immersed themselves in the world of paleontology, and Paleontologist Day is the moment where all of that learning comes to life,” said Jackie Sanchez, Primary School science teacher. “What begins as vocabulary, including trace fossils, body fossils, mold and cast fossils, and true form fossils, transforms into real understanding through hands-on experiences.”

Throughout the unit, students created their own mold and cast fossils, preserved organisms in “amber,” and even dissected coprolites to study dinosaur diets. In the days leading up to the dig, they also explored the tools paleontologists use in the field so they could apply those techniques during their own excavation.

“When students enter the sandbox with spoons, sifters and brushes, along with their vests and credentials, they aren’t just playing. They are scientists applying months of learning,” Sanchez said. “Watching six- and seven-year-olds carefully brush away sand, collaborate with peers and confidently classify their discoveries using scientific vocabulary is incredibly powerful.”

Several large fossils also were displayed throughout the event for students to observe, generously donated by the Oschin family (Zachary Oschin ’16).

For Sanchez, the experience represents more than a themed activity.

“Paleontologist Day allows students to step into the role of investigators and truly see themselves as capable, curious scientists,” she said.