Dinosaur Dynamics has been designed for Years 5-6 high ability students.  Palaeontologist Professor Tim Richards, from the University of Queensland will lead an exciting presentation followed by a Q&A session.   The theme will be what clues do Palaeontologists use to establish how particular dinosaurs moved. 

A short break will then be followed by an engaging hands-on session where students, acting as junior Palaeontologists, will evaluate a series of clues including fossil evidence and the comparative movements of modern day creatures. 

Program Flyer VCES Dinosaur Dynamics

How to book your group

• Book your students into either the morning or afternoon session NOT both.
• There are only a limited number of video conference dial-in sessions available. To reserve your spot, please fill out the booking form. Remember, each class you sign up for counts as one dial-in session.
• Download and complete the attached Student details  spreadsheet and email this through to ecolinc@education.vic.gov.au

After your booking is confirmed

Please download the parental invitation and student nomination forms and distribute them to the families of the students.

• VCES Student Nomination Form
• VCES Parent Info

The Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series (VCES) is an initiative funded by the Victorian Government to extend and engage high-ability students across the state. The series provides opportunities for students from Foundation to Year 12 in Government Schools to participate in enrichment learning experiences that challenge their thinking, build advanced skills, and encourage creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. Delivered by specialist organisations and education providers, VCES programs immerse students in authentic, real-world learning beyond the classroom.

Year Level: Year 5-6

Duration: 2 hour

Yes, a kit of resources will be sent to your school

No prior knowledge is required.

In this video conference students will:

• Students will develop and ask thoughtful, relevant questions to a palaeontologist to deepen their understanding of prehistoric life and fossil evidence.
• Students will explore and compare how large animals, both extinct (dinosaurs) and current animals, move and identify the skeletal and muscular structures involved.
• Students will learn how palaeontologists use fossil evidence to reconstruct extinct animals’ habitats.
• Students will identify key skeletal features (e.g. limb structure, pelvis orientation, spine position) and categorise types of movement such as bipedal, quadrupedal, or semi-aquatic.
• Students will develop skills in scientific observation and classification by analysing fossil and skeletal evidence.

In this video conference students will:

• Engage in a Q & A session with a qualified and engaging palaeontologist
• Learn about patterns of movement – involves students moving in the classroom
• Identify the secrets of fossilised skulls and teeth
• Participate in movement adaptation categorisation activity
• Match the skeletons to the dinosaurs in a Who am I? activity

Science -Science as a Human Endeavour

• Scientific knowledge changes over time, often resulting from collaboration or by building on the work of others, and leads to advances in science (VC2S6H01)

Science – Science Understanding

• Organisms have evolved over time, as seen in fossils and scientific records; the structural features and behaviours of living organisms enable them to thrive in their environments (VC2S6U02)

Science – Science Inquiry

• Scientific ideas, findings, patterns, trends and relationships can be communicated for a specific purpose and audience, using various presentation formats, scientific vocabulary and digital tools as appropriate (VC2S6I06)

Critical and Creative Thinking – Questions and Possibilities

• The construction of questions for identifying and building understanding of information, possibilities, processes and activities (VC2CC6Q01)