During our science week, Year 1 enjoyed a workshop on Mary Anning, the pioneering palaeontologist and fossil collector. Our visiting scientist, Dr. Mandy Hartley, explained how and where fossils form. She demonstrated how a fossil is formed by using clay to imprint into and plaster of Paris to create a cast.   She invited us to talk about our fossils and where we found them. We also learnt how Mary Anning’s finds influenced Charles Darwin’s ‘Theory of Evolution’. We joined Dr. Hartley for an immersive drama adventure to retell the story of Mary Anning. Through acting, listening, and dressing up, we retold the story from Mary’s being struck by lightning to her teaching herself and finding amazing fossils. We loved learning more about Mary’s friend, Miss Elizabeth Philpott! Afterwards, we went fossil hunting on a sample beach and discovered a huge ichthyosaurus fossil.  The children enjoyed this engaging workshop.

Thank you, Dr. Hartley, for bringing our learning to life. Thank you to Friends for funding this activity.