Close-up of T-rex teeth.

Dino Dentist

Grades K-2

Become paleontologists for the day by comparing real teeth from modern-day and prehistoric animals. Using evidence collected, students will identify whose chompers are whose. Students then apply this knowledge to investigate what these dinosaurs may have had for lunch!

Thanks to the generous support of our donors and sponsors, this program is available at no cost to you.

Program Length

Student-paced, estimated 25-30 minutes

MN Academic Standards

The Nature of Science and Engineering: Standard 1.1.1.1, Benchmark 1.1.1.1.1, Benchmark 2.1.1.2.1,

Physical Science: Benchmark 0.2.1.1.1

Life Science: Standard 1.4.1.1, Benchmark 1.4.1.1.1

Learning Goals

  1. Students engage in the practice of science by making observations and comparisons, collecting data, and interpreting visual evidence

  2. Fossils provide evidence of plants and animals that lived long ago

  3. The shape and size of teeth provides information about an animal's food, and may relate to an animal's size

  4. There are similarities between extinct animals and animals alive today.