Paleontologist Bring a Kid to Work Day - What Do Paleontologists Do?

Sep 14, 2026

Upload by Levi

Paleontologists study past life by examining plant and animal fossils found on public lands. Their work includes fossil excavations, laboratory research, writing about discoveries, teaching, and preserving fossil sites for future generations. The guide highlights what paleontologists do and why the job suits people who enjoy digging outside, learning about ancient life, solving mysteries using fossils, and educating others through talks and museum displays. It also lists age-appropriate activities for children of different age groups.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPosters

FormatPDF

Pages1

AccessFree to download

What Do Paleontologists Do?

Key Work Tasks

Who Should Apply

Age-Appropriate Activities

Ages 4 Years and Under

Ages 5–8 Years

Ages 9–12 Years

Ages 13+

When I grow up, I want to be a…Paleontologist! [htps://www.blm.gov/careers/careers-in-blm\#geo](htps://www.blm.gov/careers/careers-in-blm#geo) What Do Paleontologists Do? A paleontologist is a scien􀆟st who studies past life by looking at plant and animal fossils. Many dinosaur and prehistoric fossils have been found on public lands across the country. Their work includes fossil excava􀆟ons (digging), laboratory studies, wri􀆟ng about their ﬁndings, teaching, and preserving fossil sites of the past for the beneﬁt of future genera􀆟ons. Bureaus that employ Paleontologists: This is a job for you if you enjoy: • Being outside and digging in the dirt looking for interes􀆟ng objects. Paleontologists spend a lot of 􀆟me excava􀆟ng and collec􀆟ng fossils. • Learning about dinosaurs and other creatures and plants that lived long ago. Fossils are o􀅌en thought of as dinosaur bones and tracks, but they can also be from any living thing including plants. • Asking ques􀆟ons and solving mysteries. Paleontologists are a mix of scien􀆟st, historian, and detec􀆟ve. Fossils can tell paleontologists not only about the organism, but also the environment it lived in and what the Earth was like at that 􀆟me. • Teaching others. Paleontologists educate other people through museum displays and giving talks. Age-Appropriate Ac􀆟vi􀆟es Ac􀆟vi􀆟es for Ages 4 Years and Under: • Dinosaurs of Alaska's North Slope Coloring Page Ac􀆟vi􀆟es for Ages 5 – 8 Years: • Geology and Fossils Ac􀆟vity Book Junior Ranger • Junior Paleontologist Ac􀆟vity Book • Dinosaurs of Alaska's North Slope Coloring Page • Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trailhead Interpre􀆟ve Site Ac􀆟vi􀆟es for Ages 9 – 12 Years: • Geology and Fossils Ac􀆟vity Book Junior Ranger • Junior Paleontologist Ac􀆟vity Book • Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trailhead Interpre􀆟ve Site Ac􀆟vi􀆟es for 13+: • Geology and Fossils Ac􀆟vity Book Junior Ranger • Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trailhead Interpre􀆟ve Site Español: • Geologia y Fosiles Cuaderno de ac􀆟vidades Joven Guardaparques

FAQs

What does a paleontologist study and how do they do it?

A paleontologist is a scientist who studies past life by looking at plant and animal fossils. The work includes excavating fossils and conducting lab studies.

What tasks are part of a paleontologist’s job?

Tasks include fossil excavations, laboratory studies, writing about findings, teaching, and preserving fossil sites for future generations.

What kinds of activities are recommended for different ages?

The document lists age-specific options such as coloring pages for ages 4 and under, activity books for ages 5–8 and 9–12, and additional options for ages 13+.

Sep 14, 2026

Upload by Levi