sharkfinder®
citizen science
Recognized by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Nature, Science, Scientific America and Voice of America.
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Find a new species or first occurrence of a species. Work with unsearched fossil media to find shark, ray, and skate teeth from ocean sediments that date back millions of years. And, if you make a scientifically significant discovery, you get the credit!
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When a participant of the SharkFinder® program finds a scientifically significant fossil specimen, they are acknowledged by name in the resulting professional publication. Contributors with a valuable contribution will receive a certificate of accomplishment.
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Over 16,000 Classroom Citizen Scientists
Over 10,000 Lab Contributions
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lab space set up for phase 1:
fossil matrix preparation
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Triple Beam Balance
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150 ML beaker
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2 large paper plates
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10 mesh and 35 mesh sieves
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Task card "Massing your matrix sample"
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6 (5 gallon) buckets for water (fill to first line)
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Matrix in a bucket with scooper (matrix must be slushy and not dry otherwise, fossils will break)
lab space set up for phase 2:
fossil
investigation
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Sieved dry material from larger sieve
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Two small paper plates (for color separation)
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Toothpicks
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Hand lens
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Digital microscope
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Eppendorf tube
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Ziplock bag
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Student information sheet
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iPad
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Identification charts
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Task card "Observation & Classification"
lab space set up for phase 3:
microfossil investigation
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Sieved dry material from smaller sieve
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Small paper plates
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Petri dish
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Toothpicks
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Stereo microscope
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Eppendorf tube
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Ziplock bag
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Student information sheet
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Identification charts
Matrix should be sieved until all gray sediment is broken down.
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Black indicates fossilization.
properly sieved matrix
This sample was properly sieved as most of the sample is black material which indicates fossilization.
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The more black material you have, the more you can investigate.
poorly sieved matrix
going through the sharkfinder® process
(videos)
how-to sing along video
activities & ideas
All About Sharks
Grades 2-5
(Contact us to receive
the activity book)
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Ocean Adventures: Educator Guide
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share
Share your SharkFinder® discoveries here! Share engagement pieces, artifacts, fossils, etc...
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brochures
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