On November 19-20, First Grade students geared up in vests and showcased their archaeological skills as they dug for fossils during Viewpoint’s annual Paleontologist Day event in the Primary School sandbox.

“We started our dinosaur unit about a month ago, introducing different types of fossils like coprolites and trace fossils,” shared Jackie Sanchez, Primary School Science Teacher. “In the classroom, the students practiced using excavation tools before putting their skills to the test outdoors.”

The immersive activity brought the month-long dinosaur unit to life, giving students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a hands-on setting. Armed with tools they had practiced using in class, students carefully excavated their assigned zones, uncovering fossils and making exciting discoveries along the way.

Paleontologist Day was originally spearheaded by Sanchez as a way to create a memorable and immersive learning experience for students. Now in its third year, her vision for the event has continued to evolve. 

“Last year, we had only five fossils in the sandbox. Now we’re at eight,” she explained. “I’m hoping to keep adding more realistic fossils each year. Right now, many are toys, but my goal is to include pieces that students can immediately recognize as real fossils.”

Sanchez also highlighted how the event has transformed the way students retain knowledge, noting that the hands-on experience helps concepts stick with them long after the lesson. 

“Even my second graders from last year remembered everything and were excited to cheer on the first graders,” she said.

Looking ahead, Sanchez is eager to expand this concept and introduce similarly engaging learning experiences to other grade levels.

“Second grade is learning about volcanoes, so we’re planning a big volcano eruption event this year,” she shared. “I want to make learning as interactive as possible for all the students, turning each lesson into an experience they’ll always remember.”