1. PALEOS
“A partnership between the Marmarth Research Foundation and Westhampton Beach Middle School”
June 25-July 2, 2017

2. Project Proposal
A small delegation of 8th grade students and faculty will travel to the Great Plains to participate in data collection and analysis at several active paleontological dig sites in Wyoming and North Dakota. Data includes the extraction, preparation and study of fossils found at the K/T Boundary. The K/T boundary represents one of Earth’s largest extinction events -- nearly 65 million years ago.

3. Dramatis Personae
Dr. Tyler Lyson: Director of the Marmarth Research Foundation; lead paleontologist and researcher John Hankla: Paleontologist; researcher; educator; field guide Robert Coleman: Field Trip Coordinator; field instruction Two WHB Faculty Members: Chaperone; field instruction th Grade Middle School students: Participants in research and data collection/analysis

4. Project/Field Trip Agenda
Stage #3 – Marmarth Site: Marmarth, ND
Stage #4 – Black Hills Institute of Geologic Research: Hill City, SD
Stage #2 –
Zerbst Ranch Site: Newcastle, WY
Stage #1 – Denver Museum of Nature and Science

5. Stage #1: Denver Museum of Nature and Science
-- Team lands in
Denver International Airport and is welcomed by John Hankla.
-- Introductions are made.
-- Students arrive at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to examine the fossil collection. Students will see what goes on “behind the scene” at the museum including fossil preservation, documentation, storage and display preparation.
-- Team stays in Denver overnight.

6. Stage #2: Zerbst Ranch Site Study
-- Team leaves Denver with John Hankla and drives to Zerbst Ranch (between Lusk and Newcastle, WY.
(~ 5 ½ hrs.)
-- Team will learn how to excavate fossils in the field.
-- Team will study the Zerbst trackway and actively collect at adjacent sites in the area.
(2-3 Days)

7. Stage #3: Marmarth Research Sites
-- Team leaves the Zerbst Ranch and travels to Marmarth, ND under John Hankla’s guidance.
(~ 5 hrs.)
-- Team will collect material near research sites at the K/T boundary.
-- Team will learn how to prepare material to be analyzed and cleaned in a museum.
(2-3 Days)

8. Stage #4: Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
-- Under John Hankla’s guidance, team will leave Marmarth, ND and travel to the Institute in Hill City, SD.
(~ 3 hrs.)
-- Team will examine prepared fossils in the field and examine the process used to clean and preserve specimens.
-- Team will leave the Institute and travel to Rapid City, SD to depart for New York
(1 Day)

9. Trip Rationale Why set up a project of this nature?
1. Expose students (and have them actively participate) in research in the field.
2. Have students engage in active dialogue with scientists.
3. Continue student learning in Earth Science.
4. Provide impetus for student research at the high school level.
5. Expose students to a cultural paradigm quite distinct from their own.
6. Develop a collection of material from which the local/school community may observe and utilize ( “WHB Geology Musuem?”)
7. Gives Mr. Coleman an excuse to visit the Zerbst trackway he helped to uncover over 20 years ago.
How can WHB give back to student participants?
1. Acknowledgement of participation on high school transcript.
2. Completion of community service hours (graduation requirement)
3. Impetus for research in the Science Research course.

10. Estimated Trip Cost Field Work Expenses
Field Experience Expenses ~ $1450 per student
-- Food and lodging (bunkhouse style) at both Zerbst Site and Marmarth Sites
-- Transportation to/from dig sites
-- Equipment
-- Instructor fees
-- Medical attention/expenses

11. Estimated Trip Cost Transportation Rental
Three vehicles
~$350 per student
(Estimate is based on a contingent of 15 students attending the trip)

12. Estimated Trip Cost Flight
Sun., June 25th : Flight will be out of JFK to Denver, CO.
Sun., July 2nd: Returning flight will be out of Rapid City SD to JFK, NY. There will be a layover and a connecting flight on our journey back to NY.
~$ per student

13. Estimated Trip Cost Hotel Stay
Sun., June 25th : Denver, CO
Sat., July 1st : Rapid City, SD
Hotel arrangements will be in the form of suites. Chaperone rooms will be adjacent to student rooms.
~ per student
(Estimate is based on a contingent of 15 students attending the trip)

14. Estimated Trip Cost Travel Expenses
A week of traveling and excavation will create a variety of ancillary expenses including:
--Gas/Vehicle Maintenance
-- Travel Snacks/Water
--Meals
Fri. night/Sat. morning Denver, CO
Saturday night – Rapid City, SD
-- Flight Insurance
-- Shuttle expenses on June 25th from WHB to JFK
~ per student
(Estimate is based on a contingent of 15 students attending the trip)

15. Estimated Cost per Student
Estimated Trip Cost
Estimated Cost per Student
Marmarth Research Foundation $1,450
Flight $600
Transportation $350
Hotel Stay $250
Travel Expenses $350
TOTAL COST
Cost per Student ~$
(Estimates are based on 15 students attending the trip)

16. Informational Links Marmarth Research Foundation
John Hankla’s Field Blog – Summer 2016
Zerbst Site “Dinosaur Discovery”
Valley of the Last Dinosaurs