In dinosaur camp this week we learned about paleontologists and the work they do to uncover fossils. We even got to do some paleontological practice digging ourselves! We know that fossils have been forming over time for millions of years, and that dinosaur fossils are not the only types of fossils there are to find. If we could look at a cross-section, or a slice of the earth, we could see that the older fossils are found on the bottom and the newer fossils are found near the top:

Scientists can use the depth at which they find fossils to help them tell how old the fossils are compared to other fossils they find.

Why not make a fossil pudding parfait with layers of pudding “rock” embedded with fruit and cookie “fossils”? Here’s how to do it:

Stuff you’ll need:

- two flavors of pudding (in this recipe we’ll use chocolate and banana) made using the directions on the box

- a clear drinking glass or parfait glass

-  some of your favorite fruit, cookies, wafers, etc. cut into small pieces

What to do:

Make the two types of pudding according to the directions on the box and put it in the fridge for a little bit while you cut up your fruit and cookie “fossils”. Once the pudding gets to be pretty solid take it out of the fridge. Use a spoon to put a layer of vanilla pudding in the bottom of the glass. Embed some fruit or cookie “fossils” in this bottom layer (start with the heavier “fossils” on the bottom). These fossils are the oldest fossils. Now add a layer of chocolate pudding “rock” and some more “fossils”. Continue adding layers of rock embedded with fossils until the glass is filled. 

Look at the glass from the side. Where are the oldest fossils? Where are the very newest fossils found? The best part of making this parfait is finally getting to go on your “fossil dig”! Enjoy!