fossil.hqx  1.6 Mb


Make Your Own Paper Fossils

A computer animation and paper models

By

Tau Rho Alpha*, Scott W. Starratt*, and James W. Hendley II*

 Open -file Report 94-667

*Comments encouraged:
  talpha@ISDMNL.wr.usgs.gov
  sstarratt@ISDMNL.wr.usgs.gov 
  jhendley@bwtrms.wr.usgs.gov


  This report illustrates, by means of computer animations and paper
models, how two organisms, a trilobite and a nautiloid, became fossils.
The report is intended to help students and others visualize the size
and shape of a trilobite and a nautiloid, the environment in which they
lived, and the circumstances of their fossilization and subsequent
discovery. By studying the animations and the paper models, students
will come to understand why fossils are important in interpreting the
Earth's history.

  Included in the diskette version of this report are templates for
making the paper models, and instructions for their assembly, a
discussion of fossils, and animations of trilobite and nautiloid
locomotion and habitats.

  The animation is accompanied by sound. If no sound is heard, change the
memory of HyperCard, to 4500K, and ensure that the control panel
"Sound", which is in the "Control Panels" folder under the "Apple"
menu, has the volume set to at least 2. To change the memory available
to HyperCard quit this stack. Highlight the HyperCard, program icon and
choose "Get Info" from the File Menu. Change the "memory requirements"
to 4500K and start this stack again. The paper version of this report
includes everything listed above except for the animations.

  Many people provided help and encouragement in the development of this
HyperCard stack, particularly Dan Jensen, Art Ford, and Lisa Baserga.
This report was enhanced by the excellent reviews by  Ron Le Compte,
Will Elder, and Jim Pinkerton.