It is really unusual for a palaeontologist (scientist who study fossils) to find a complete skeleton with all the bones in the right place. We are more likely to find only a few bones or a jumbled up skeleton.
Putting a skeleton back to together when you know what the animal looks like can be a challenge, but imagine how hard that becomes when there are no more of those creatures alive for you look at. It is a bit like trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together when you don’t have the photo on the box as a guide.
It might not look very exciting but flint gravel has a story to tell of a warm chalky sea that covered a lot of England about 90 million years ago. That’s when dinosaur were around although they were not living in this particular sea. Sometimes it filled the holes made by borrowing animals and sometimes, if we’re lucky it enclosed the remains of sea creatures meaning it is great place to look for fossils.
Have you ever looked up at the sky on a clear night and noticed shapes or groups of stars that appear to form a pattern? These are known as constellations. This activity shows you how to make your own viewer to help identify the constellations.
Just beneath the waves in shallow tropical seas you'll find a world teeming with life. It's here that we find coral reefs - colourful habitats where countless creatures live.
Unfortunately like many habitats, coral reefs are struggling with the changing climates and environments we see today. These changes lead to 'coral bleaching'.
Science is everywhere - find out where to look for scientific objects around your house and your area with the help of the Whipple Museum's collections.
Our big range of Look, Think, Do activities encourage children and families to look deeply and thoughtfully at objects and to respond imaginatively through thinking, talking and making together -from Ancient Egyptian neckpieces to coins stamped by protesting Suffragettes.
You can use the shorter Look and Think activities for just a few minutes or spend a bit longer making something fantastic.