Fossil Kits for Classrooms: Educator Training (August)

Put Ancient Life in Your Students’ Hands

The Maryland Museum of Natural Sciences’ Fossil Kit Training is a hands‑on workshop designed for educators of all subjects and grade levels who want to teach Earth’s story using real specimens.

During this interactive session, participants explore Maryland’s geologic timeline, fossilization processes, extinction events, and the ancient plants and animals that once lived here. Educators leave with the knowledge and confidence to integrate fossils across science, social studies, literacy, and STEM curricula.

Each attendee receives a classroom fossil kit containing 39 fossil types and ~200 labeled specimens—representing multiple phyla, geologic eras, and global localities—assembled thanks to a generous donor.

Training Dates

• August 16 • 12–2:30 PM
• October 25 • 8–10:30 AM
• December 29 • 2–4:30 PM

Educators will:

• Understand Maryland’s geologic history and major extinction events
• Learn how fossils form and how to identify different fossil types
• Explore ancient Maryland life through real specimens
• Gain strategies for using fossil kits to support curriculum across disciplines

To reserve a spot, educators pay a $10 deposit, returned as museum gift store credit upon attendance. If you do not attend, the deposit becomes a donation supporting future education programs. Programs that are $20 and below are not refundable. If your plans change, and there is space, you may attend a different session, otherwise the registration fee converts to a donation.