3D Digitization of Fossils for Educators & Citizen Scientists:A collaborative workshop among iDigBio, the FOSSIL Project, and K12 Science Educators

Digitizing the Past and Present for the Future
Quick Links for 3D Digitization of Fossils for Educators & Citizen Scientists Workshop
3D Digitization of Fossils for Educators & Citizen Scientists Workshop Agenda
3D Digitization of Fossils for Educators & Citizen Scientists Workshop Biblio Entries
3D Digitization of Fossils for Educators & Citizen Scientists Workshop Report

This wiki provides resources for the Digitization Technology for Educators and Citizen Scientists Workshop.

Agenda

• Date: June 15-17, 2015
• Agenda, location, and sessions
• Location: University of Florida Campus
  • Bartram Hall 211
  • Carr Hall 221
  • Carr Hall 222
  • Dickinson Hall
  • Refer to the agenda for additional details. University of Florida Interactive Map
    
    
• Social Media: #3DDigitization

Remote Access

• Remote Access Bartram 211
• Remote Access Carr 221
• Remote Access Carr 222

Reports

• Workshop Evaluation Report

The 3D Digitization of Fossils for Educators & Citizen Scientists Workshop brought together scientists, collection professionals, and K-12 educators to discuss using 3D imaging and citizen science in the classroom. The workshop consisted of presentations on recently 3D scanned specimens for classroom use and potential ideas for lessons associated with the specimens. The workshop also provided an overview of exiting open-source software that can be used in K12. Participants were also introduced to paleo collections where they had the opportunity to see what’s available for future 3D scanning. Lastly, participants went on a field trip to Thomas farm where they were introduced to the specimens of the area and had a chance to do some fossil digging.

The core component of the presentations was the introduction of a recently scanned set of megalodon teeh that constitutes a jaw. This specimen in addition to being charismatic and one of kids’ favorite, is a perfect example to demonstrate concepts of evolution and extinction. Participants were also introduced to a set of 16 fossil horse 3D teeth that are a great example for teaching evolution in response to climate change. The giant snake titanoboa is a great example for teaching about climate change and providing students with opportunities to replicate the work scientists have done. The workshop introduced participants to 3D titanoboa vertebrae and ribs in addition to current relevant literature on the topic. Last but not least, human evolution was also one of the core topics. Participants were introduced to a set of human and primate 3D models that serve as a guidance for teachers to introduce the topic with hands-on comparisons and observations.

Open-source software to view and create 3D models are abundantly available. The huge range of possibilities can be overwhelming. The workshop introduced participants to many of them adding specific examples for classroom use. School districts use different technology and there is not a standard, so we also aimed to provide information on the software and platform for adequate use.

Most of participant teachers were secondary science educators; however, we had art and English and Language Arts in the audience. This setting provided a rich environment to discuss science integration and how 3D technology not only can support sciences, but also mathematics, English and Art.

Moving forward, the next goal is to provide tutorials on how to download 3D models from iDigBio database. We are in the process of creating more lessons to be added to the set of 3D specimens we have scanned. We are also interested in how this concept can advance learning and increase interest in science careers.

Presentations

• Workshop Introduction | Dr. Bruce McFadden, PI of iDigBio - Florida Museum of Natural History and Dr. Larry Page’s welcome, Director of iDigBio
  

• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Doug Boyer, Duke University | Creation of Virtual Collections Available to all Through the Use of www.morphosource.org
  

• iDigBio Search Demo Dr. Gil Nelson, www.idigbio.org
  

• Giant Reptiles: Fossil Snapshots of Biotic Response to Climatic Shifts Dr. Alex Hastings - Virginia Museum of Natural History
  

• Horse Evolution in Response to Climate Change Sean Moran and Dr. Bruce MacFadden - Florida Museum of Natural History
  

• 3D NextEngine Scanning Demo Museum Interns Andrea DeRenzis and Justy Alicea - Florida Museum of Natural History
  

• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Andrew Farke, Alf Museum of Paleontology, Digital Fossils in the High School Classroom: Turning Promise into Practice
  

• 123D Design for Beginners - The Basics of Designing 3D Models Dr. Shaunna Smith - Texas State University
  

• Amy Bolton - Smithsonian Institution
  • Teach Deep Time: stratigraphy and ecosystem change over time with Smithsonian collections
    
  • Prototype - It's a Date
  • Prototype - Trait Tracker
  • Prototype - What Happened Here?
• Base-ten Conversions Biology PhD Student, Natasha Vitek & Chris Baker, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary School
  
• Keynote Speaker: Sage McGraw - Paleontology Student, Delta High School - Introduction remotely by Jason Tovani, Delta High School Science Teacher and Project Coordinator
  
• 3D models and K12 material on whales from Cerro Ballena, Chile Holly Little | Smithsonian Institution
  
• Human Evolution Dr. Doug Boyer | Duke University
  
• Using Megalodon as a Model for Teaching Evolution Dr. Dana Ehret - The University of Alabama
  
• iDigBio Introduction Dr.Gil Nelson | Florida State University
  
• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jessie Maisano - University of Texas at Austin - High-Resolution X-ray CT in Every Classroom: ImageJ and DigiMorph.org
  
• I downloaded 3D fossils for the classroom, and then what? An intro to open source 3D modeling software PhD Student Claudia Grant - Florida Museum of Natural History
  
• Megalodon Extinction Biology PhD student Catalina Pimiento - Florida Museum of Natural History
  
• Bridge between fossil clubs and K12: opportunities for collaboration Geology PhD Student Victor Perez - Florida Museum of Natural History
  
• STEM Integration through Paleontology and 3D Technology PhD Student Claudia Grant - Florida Museum of Natural History
  

Recorded Presentations

Bartram 211

• Workshop Introduction (Dr. Bruce MacFadden, Florida Museum of Natural History) and Welcome (Dr. Larry Page, Director of iDigBio)
• Keynote:Creation of Virtual Collections Available to all Through the Use of www.morphosource.org (Dr. Doug Boyer, Duke University)
• iDigBio Search Demo (Dr. Gil Nelson, Florida State University)
• Keynote: Digital Fossils in the High School Classroom: Turning Promise into Practice (Dr. Andrew Farke, Alf Museum of Paleontology)
• 123D Design for Beginners - The Basics of Designing 3D Models (Dr. Shaunna Smith, Texas State University)
• Keynote: Sage McGraw - Paleontology Student, Delta High School - Introduction remotely by Jason Tovani, Delta High School Science Teacher and Project Coordinator
• iDigBio Introduction (Dr.Gil Nelson, Florida State University)
• Keynote: High-Resolution X-ray CT in Every Classroom: ImageJ and DigiMorph.org (Dr. Jessie Maisano, University of Texas at Austin)
• Giant Reptiles: Fossil Snapshots of Biotic Response to Climatic Shifts (Dr. Alex Hastings, Virginia Museum of Natural History)
• Megalodon Extinction (Biology PhD student Catalina Pimiento, Florida Museum of Natural History)
• 3D models and K12 material on whales from Cerro Ballena, Chile (Holly Little, Smithsonian Institution)
• STEM Integration through Paleontology and 3D Technology (PhD Student Claudia Grant, Florida Museum of Natural History)

Carr 221

• Teach Deep Time: stratigraphy and ecosystem change over time with Smithsonian collections (Amy Bolton, Smithsonian Institution)
  • Teach Deep Time: stratigraphy and ecosystem change over time with Smithsonian collections (Amy Bolton, Smithsonian Institution) -This session was repeated-
• Human Evolution (Dr. Doug Boyer, Duke University )
  • Human Evolution (Dr. Doug Boyer, Duke University ) -This session was repeated-
• I downloaded 3D fossils for the classroom, and then what? An intro to open source 3D modeling software (PhD Student Claudia Grant, Florida Museum of Natural History)

Car 222

• Horse Evolution in Response to Climate Change (Sean Moran and Dr. Bruce MacFadden, Florida Museum of Natural History)
  • Horse Evolution in Response to Climate Change (Sean Moran and Dr. Bruce MacFadden, Florida Museum of Natural History) -This session was repeated-
• Base-ten Conversions (Biology PhD Student, Natasha Vitek & Chris Baker, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary School)
• Using Megalodon as a Model for Teaching Evolution (Dr. Dana Ehret, University of Alabama)
• Bridge between fossil clubs and K12: opportunities for collaboration (Geology PhD Student Victor Perez, Florida Museum of Natural History)
• 123D Design for Beginners - The Basics of Designing 3D Models (Dr. Shaunna Smith, Texas State University)

Planning Team

• Dr. Bruce MacFadden - iDigBio PI Education & Outreach
• Dr. Gil Nelson - iDigBio Digitization Process Specialist
• Dr. Pasha Antonenko - UF Professor School of Teaching and Learning
• Claudia Grant - UF PhD Student School of Teaching and Learning
• Jason Tovani - Delta High School Science Teacher and Project Coordinator
• Sean Moran - FLMNH STEM Content Specialist