1. Act. 91: Fossilized Footprints
Challenge How can fossil footprints be used to study the behavior of animals that were alive millions of years ago? Key Vocabulary: Hypothesis Inference Observation

2. Activity 91: Fossilized Footprints
Image from:
These dinosaur tracks were found in a geologic formation known as Dakota Sandstone. Scientists have concluded that these tracks are from the Lower Cretaceous Period (circa million years ago). They were found on the eastern side of Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado.

3. Dinosaur Ridge, Colorado

4. A Quick Review… What is a fossil?
What can fossils tell us about past life?
What can they NOT tell us?
Why is studying fossils important?

5. Observations vs. Inferences

6. What is the difference between an inference and an observation?
Observation: an objective description of one or more pieces of evidence
Inference: a conclusion drawn from observed evidence

7. Fossil Footprint Card 1 Anything we notice using Our 5 senses.
Conclusion you draw
based on observations

8. Fossil Footprint Card 2
Observations: Inferences:

9. Fossil Footprint Card 3

10. Part B #10- Page F-14

11. Analysis Question 2- Page F-15

12. Possible Hypotheses…