1. Education Bureau, HKSAR Web-based Learning Course in Paleontology for Gifted and Talented students Education Bureau, HKSAR

2. Objectives Enhance appreciation in study of earth’s history and evolution as a scientific discipline Basic concepts and understanding in paleontology Enhance self-motivation and ability in independent study skills

3. Course plan Senior primary to junior secondary students who are scientifically inclined 3 levels with increasing degree of difficulty Proficiency test at end of each level Course contents provided both in English and Chinese

4. Course activities Web-based learning course – Exercises and activities – Tests – Supplementary information on internet – Open-ended questions Discussion forum and real-time Q&A sessions Seminars on Paleontology Workshop on restoration of fossils Field and museum visits

5. Contents Level 1  Relationship between Organisms and Paleontology  Basic concept of fossil & Formation of fossils  Geological Time & Index fossils  The origin of life  Discover the fossils and preservation

6. Contents Level 2  The Cambrian explosion - The earliest evidence of life  Ancient invertebrates  Ancient vertebrates  Basic classifications of dinosaurs Living environment Level 3  Ancient Plants  The Age of Dinosaurs The origin Diet Appearance Extinction of dinosaurs  The Rise of Mammals  The Origin and Development of Humans  Mass Extinction Events

7. Animations Ways of Fossil Preservation

8. Graphics prepared by experts

9. Fossil pictures (all with copyright permission)

10. 礦質充填作用的過程 Games and on-line activities

11. Visit to Paleontology Museums Bank of China Museum Paleontological Museum in Shenzhen