Geologic Paper Models
Below are 3-D paper models of fossils and geologic processes that can be printed, colored, and built. They can be just for fun, or an activity to accompany a teaching module on the relevant topics.
Pterosaur Paper Model
About: Pterosaur is the name for a group of flying reptiles lived from about 228 million years ago until the most recent mass extinction, 66 million years ago. They are the earliest flying vertebrates, and although not technically dinosaurs, that is how most people think of them. Their wings, which could span up to 12 feet, were formed by a membrane, and they had hair-like filaments on their skin. They likely ate fish, small animals, and insects. They laid eggs. Pterosaurs are neither dinosaur descendants nor bird ancestors, although they are closely related each.
Instructions | Colored Version | Black and White Version
Triceratops Paper Model
About: The Triceratops is named for its three horns. They first appeared in the late Cretaceous, about 68 million years ago, and died off in the mass extinction 66 million years ago. Triceratops were plant-eating dinosaurs, located in what is now North America. The Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction (the 5th in the geologic record) occurred when a large meteor hit Earth near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula. This event killed 75% of all life on Earth, including all non-flying dinosaurs. Triceratops is the state dinosaur of Wyoming and the state fossil of South Dakota. Instructions here.
Instructions | Colored Version | Black and White Version
Nautiloid Paper Model
About: Nautiloids are a subclass of marine mollusks that have been around for about 500 million years. There were more than 2500 species of Nautiloids. This one is straight-bodied; there are also coiled Nautiloids, like the Nautilus which is still in the oceans today. A large percentage of marine mollusks died in the mass extinction; nautiloids and coleoids (octopus, squid, cuttlefish) were the only cephalopods to survive. Put a small LED light inside to make your model glow.
Instructions | Colored Version | Black and White Version