Plaster of Paris is a great tool for preserving an impression of a fossil. In just a few hours, the plaster will harden into a hard, durable surface that will preserve the contours of whatever you dipped into it. It can be used to preserve fossils, leaves, animal tracks and countless other impressions.
Instructions
1. Fill a bowl or cup halfway up with sand.
2. Put your fossil in the sand so that only one side sticks out. You want the plaster to make an impression of one side the fossil, but not completely surround it. Otherwise, you will have to break the plaster to get the fossil out again, which will ruin it.
3. Combine one part water and two parts plaster of Paris in a bowl, and stir with a spoon until it is completely mixed.
4. Carefully pour the plaster of Paris over the fossil until the plaster completely covers it.
5. Leave the plaster to dry. Depending on the temperature, humidity and thickness of the plaster, drying times can vary. Leave it overnight just to make sure it has completely set.
6. Carefully tip the bowl over and shake it over your hand until the plaster falls out. Be careful, since the plaster will crack or shatter if it falls on something hard. Brush the sand off the plaster. You now have an imprint of a fossil!
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