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ThudBucket wrote:why is fossils so difficult and semi frustrating:x

well my school has a book and binder for each team
if you want to use up a lot of time then you can get info on every single specimen but thats very boring

i got 1st in fossils last year in regionals but this is a new year

germinator wrote:

ThudBucket wrote:why is fossils so difficult and semi frustrating:x

well my school has a book and binder for each team
if you want to use up a lot of time then you can get info on every single specimen but thats very boring

It may be boring, but it is the best way to go. Most books don't have the classes of the specimens, and at the CL invite, a lot of the competition was identifying classes. Also, not every organism is in any of the books. A lot of times those will show up on the test, and if you want to know about them, you have to look them up. If you are using a binder someone else has assembled (which I believe is what you mean. Correct me if I'm wrong), you won't necessarily know where everything is or if it has everything you will need. Put some time and effort into research. That's the best way to do well on this event.

ThudBucket wrote:why is fossils so difficult and semi frustrating:x

Because it's the awesomest event ever?

Really, it's not so bad, each fossil has an easily distinguishing feature (sometimes, it's that it's completely nondescript and has no distinguishing feature that makes it distinguishing), you just gotta learn them.

I am the New York State Supervisor for Fossils B/C. I also helped write the rules and fossil list.

Some have asked how to prepare for this event. The best way, in my opinion, is to research each major group of fossils on the list, and prepare a good, well organized binder. You should be able to recognize each group, and then research any specific topics such as genus name, geologic range, or morphologic features in your notebook.

Make sure you have lots of pictures, the SO list, geologic time scale, and info on some classification in your binder.

If you have access, look at real fossil collections. Go to a local museum, or ask at local university geology departments to see their collections. Order the fossil kit from the vendor on the Science Olympiad fossils event description (I don't have my book handy).

The event is intended to test your knowledge of fossils, including identification, understanding of life habits and adaptations of group, use as index fossils and indicators of environment. Also, knowledge of how fossils are preserved is important.

Unfortunately, some event writers seem to test taxonomy or classification. We intentionally left most of the taxonomy out of the event. You will notice how major groups have been "anglicized." For example, brachiopods instead of Phylum Brachiopoda.

With that said, some taxonomy would be helpful. For example, the Molluscs are grouped by major classes: bivalve, gastropods, and cephalopods. These are basically classes of the phylum Mollusca. Some event writers may ask about which order, or family, but this is not the intent. However, if you have a good field guide, you could look this up.

I posted one of my events on the Wright Center site. Also, the CD on Fossils from the National Site Store can be very helpful. I also have a powerpoint available at the New York State Science Olympiad website under events.

If you have any specific questions, please email me at glaciergary@aol.com. I don't visit this site that often.

Good luck.

Gary Vorwald
NYS Fossils Supervisor

glaciergary wrote:I am the New York State Supervisor for Fossils B/C. I also helped write the rules and fossil list.

Some have asked how to prepare for this event. The best way, in my opinion, is to research each major group of fossils on the list, and prepare a good, well organized binder. You should be able to recognize each group, and then research any specific topics such as genus name, geologic range, or morphologic features in your notebook.

Make sure you have lots of pictures, the SO list, geologic time scale, and info on some classification in your binder.

If you have access, look at real fossil collections. Go to a local museum, or ask at local university geology departments to see their collections. Order the fossil kit from the vendor on the Science Olympiad fossils event description (I don't have my book handy).

The event is intended to test your knowledge of fossils, including identification, understanding of life habits and adaptations of group, use as index fossils and indicators of environment. Also, knowledge of how fossils are preserved is important.

Unfortunately, some event writers seem to test taxonomy or classification. We intentionally left most of the taxonomy out of the event. You will notice how major groups have been "anglicized." For example, brachiopods instead of Phylum Brachiopoda.

With that said, some taxonomy would be helpful. For example, the Molluscs are grouped by major classes: bivalve, gastropods, and cephalopods. These are basically classes of the phylum Mollusca. Some event writers may ask about which order, or family, but this is not the intent. However, if you have a good field guide, you could look this up.

I posted one of my events on the Wright Center site. Also, the CD on Fossils from the National Site Store can be very helpful. I also have a powerpoint available at the New York State Science Olympiad website under events.

If you have any specific questions, please email me at glaciergary@aol.com. I don't visit this site that often.

Good luck.

Gary Vorwald
NYS Fossils Supervisor

Listen to Mr. Vorwald, he's the fossils pro (and my former coach) =)

He taught me everything about fossils.

I need to do this for States, and I was just assigned it today with about a mouth before the State competition...

How the pigeon do I study for this crap?

Bassir wrote:I need to do this for States, and I was just assigned it today with about a mouth before the State competition...

How the pigeon do I study for this crap?

Seems like lots of people in NY are getting placed in events right before states....

Get the 2010 list and make a binder with info on each fossil. get the ID down. then you need to worry about the other stuff, too (time periods and whatnot)

jazzy009 wrote:

Bassir wrote:I need to do this for States, and I was just assigned it today with about a mouth before the State competition...

How the pigeon do I study for this crap?

Seems like lots of people in NY are getting placed in events right before states....

Get the 2010 list and make a binder with info on each fossil. get the ID down. then you need to worry about the other stuff, too (time periods and whatnot)

The State and regional schedules are different in NY, so sometimes your regional people can't do the event at States. Also, sometimes your regional people unexpectedly tank.

But Bassir, States is six weeks after regionals this year, so you have a little extra time.

Bassir wrote:I need to do this for States, and I was just assigned it today with about a mouth before the State competition...

How the pigeon do I study for this crap?

Would you please 1) read the numerous answers to that previously posted on this thread instead of skipping to the end and posting a question that has been answered a dozen times, and 2) Not call my favorite event crap?