sharkfinder®
citizen science
Recognized by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Nature, Science, Scientific America and Voice of America.
​
​
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!
​
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.
​
​
Over 16,000 Classroom Citizen Scientists
Over 10,000 Lab Contributions
​
​
lab space set up for phase 1:
fossil matrix preparation
-
Triple Beam Balance
-
150 ML beaker
-
2 large paper plates
-
10 mesh and 35 mesh sieves
-
Task card "Massing your matrix sample"
-
6 (5 gallon) buckets for water (fill to first line)
-
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
-
Sieved dry material from larger sieve
-
Two small paper plates (for color separation)
-
Toothpicks
-
Hand lens
-
Digital microscope
-
Eppendorf tube
-
Ziplock bag
-
Student information sheet
-
iPad
-
Identification charts
-
Task card "Observation & Classification"
lab space set up for phase 3:
microfossil investigation
-
Sieved dry material from smaller sieve
-
Small paper plates
-
Petri dish
-
Toothpicks
-
Stereo microscope
-
Eppendorf tube
-
Ziplock bag
-
Student information sheet
-
Identification charts
Matrix should be sieved until all gray sediment is broken down.
​
Black indicates fossilization.
properly sieved matrix
This sample was properly sieved as most of the sample is black material which indicates fossilization.
​
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)
​
​
Ocean Adventures: Educator Guide
​
​
​
share
Share your SharkFinder® discoveries here! Share engagement pieces, artifacts, fossils, etc...
​
brochures
​
​
​
​
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |