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Earth Science Education
Fossil Cast and Mold Worksheet
Name____________________________
In the table, write the name of the object you are using. Then put an x under the column for the quality of the mold and cast that object made.
Mold Quality
| Object name or description | Soft or hard | None | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| 1._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 2._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 3._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 4._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 5._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
Cast Quality
| Object name or description | Soft or hard | None | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| 1._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 2._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 3._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 4._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| 5._________________________ | __________ | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
• What is a cast in your own words?
• What is a mold in your own words?
• Which of the objects (name or description) you tested make the best mold fossils?
• Which of the objects (name or description) you tested make the best cast fossils?
• Do hard or soft objects make the best casts or mold fossils?
6. Imagine a dead animal or plant that was buried in the mud. What parts of that animal or plant might make good impressions based on your experiment?