Montshire at Home:
Skeletons
Make no bones about it, skeletons are fascinating! They are the framework on which our bodies hang. Bones protect our vital organs, provide the levers that allow us to move, and help us to hear. Fossil bones are the one part of us that can survive for thousands of years.
Enjoy science activities all about skeletons! Start with a look at human fossils. Then dissect a bird skeleton and look at how bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments interact. Check out a variety of teeth why they’re so different and even create a working model of a skeletal hand.
What Can We Learn from Bones?
Paleoanthropologist Jerry DeSilva (and special guests!) compare different types of bones to show just how much we can learn from skeletons and fossils. Then download our activity sheet to go on a skeleton scavenger hunt and learn more about your own bones!
Comparing Bones
Before or after lunch is a great time for science! Dissect a chicken wing to identify its arm bones and compare them to yours.
Watch Montshire educator Rebecca explain, then download our activity sheet to get started.
More Chicken Bone Experiments
Wondering what to do with your leftover chicken? How about some bone experiments?
Smile and Show Your Skeleton
The most visible part of our skeleton are our teeth! Smile and show someone your skeleton. Count, compare, and map out the teeth in your mouth with our downloadable activity guide.
My What Big Teeth You Have…
Animals have teeth that are well adapted to how and what they eat – bark, seeds, insects, fish, grass, meat. Can you match the animal to its teeth?
Build a Working Model of Your Hand Bones
How do the bones in your hand connect? Build a working model of your hand bones using cardboard, string, and straws.
Watch Montshire educator Rebecca explain the process then download the activity sheet to get started.
How Do Your Bones Compare?
Do cats have knees and do bats have pinky fingers? Compare your skeleton to these other animals to see if we’re all the same inside.