PALEONTOLOGY PUZZLE

What You Need

2 pages of dinosaur puzzles
2 pairs of scissors
1 stopwatch or clock

What You Do

1. Cut the puzzles into pieces along the dotted lines. Keep the pieces for each dinosaur separate. Throw away the scraps.

2. Have each partner practice making each dinosaur puzzle.

3. Mix up the pieces of one dinosaur. Have one partner put the dinosaur together while the other one times the assembly. Record the time in the chart.

4. Repeat this for each partner. Record the times in the chart.

5. Do this again for the second dinosaur. Record the times in the chart.

6. Add the times for the two dinosaurs to see how long it takes to make both dinosaurs.

7. Do you think it will take you more or less time to make the dinosaurs if the pieces from both were mixed together?

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8. Now test your prediction. Mix the pieces from both dinosaurs together. Have each partner make the two dinosaurs while the other partner times him or her. Record the time in the table.

Think About It

Did it take you longer to assemble the two dinosaurs when they were done one at a time or when they were mixed up together?

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Would it be easier for a paleontologist to recreate a dinosaur if she or he found the bones from just one animal or if the bones of more than one animal were mixed together?

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