Prehistoric Amber Activity Kit

ITEM #137
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Price
$6.95 - $174.95
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Nature-Watch Exclusive!

Prehistoric Amber is tree sap that has fossilized over millions of years! Leaves, flowers and insects have been found trapped inside and scientists have learned a great deal about prehistoric times by analyzing the DNA of these little extinct creatures perfectly preserved by the hardened resin that surrounds them. (Just like in the movie Jurassic Park!)

This activity kit provides each child with their own piece of REAL Colombian amber to polish and take home. (It could be amber or copal, which isn't quite as old, but either way it's really millions of years old!!!) The amber comes in its natural state (dull and "crusted") and we provide the simple tools to remove the crusty shell and polish the piece into a smooth, lightweight golden gem. If you polish a piece really well and look closely, some even contain an insect! This is a unique way to present prehistoric times to kids and a great project indoors or out. The amber can be polished in anywhere from 30-45 minutes or more depending upon the piece and the shininess desired!

Children ages 5 and up (adults love it too!)

Unit Goals and Concepts: 

  • Discuss amber - how it is formed and why it's so special.
  • Provide each participant with his or her own piece of REAL Colombian amber to polish and take home.
  • Learn about "inclusions" - objects from millions of years ago that can be found inside amber today! 
  • Share interesting stories about amber and amazing amber facts.
  • Discover tests that you can do to test for real amber.

Materials Included:  

  • Amber pieces in their natural state (dull and "crusted") - this amber is really millions of years old!!! 
  • Tools your participants will need to clean and polish the amber, including sandpaper, toothpaste, and denim.
  • A baggie for each participant to take home his or her piece of polished amber in.
  • Our exclusive instructor's activity guide that makes planning the project easy and delivers loads of fun ideas for amber activities, games and relevant projects. The back of the activity guide has a reproducible sheet that contains information about amber for each participant to take home as a reference.
  • The only materials you supply are markers and tape.
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