James Wilson Young Middle School’s Brainstormers 1087 robotics team welcomed Dr. Chapelle, a paleontologist from Stony Brook University, for an inspiring presentation. As part of their innovation project themed “Unearth,” the students have been researching real-world challenges faced by scientists.
The team originally reached out to Dr. Chapelle by letter, inviting her to visit after learning about her groundbreaking research. During her visit, Dr. Chapelle described her work in museums and on field expeditions, explaining how fossils are located, excavated and prepared for study. She introduced students to the process of jacketing, a technique in which paleontologists wrap fragile fossils in layers of protective material, typically burlap strips dipped in plaster, to create a sturdy shell that allows the fossils to be safely transported to the lab.
Students asked wide-ranging questions about her fieldwork challenges, the species she has discovered, how newly found dinosaurs are named and more. After the presentation, the Brainstormers practiced jacketing themselves by protecting “fossil” eggs with plaster.
Now, inspired by her talk, the students will meet to brainstorm ways they can design a prototype to help make jacketing easier in the field. They plan to share their ideas with Dr. Chapelle as their innovation project continues.
