Fossils

Welcome to Fossils! In this event, teams identify and classify fossils and demonstrate their knowledge of ancient life. Tasks will be related to interpretation of past environments and ecosystems, adaptations, evolutionary relationships, and the use of fossils in dating and correlating rock units.

The information below should not be interpreted as an extension of the rules. You can find free online copies of the current rules for download on the 2025 Rules page of the Science Olympiad website. The official rules in the current Rules Manual take precedence. 

Resources & Links

• Glaciers & Climate Webinar for Dynamic Planet, Fossils, and Meteorology Students - 2025 Webinar 
• Sample Activities & Tasks
  • New 2025
• National Parks Service - Fossils
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Paleontology
• Paleontological Society
• 2024 Official Fossil List
• 2024 Trace Fossil Formulas - NEW
• Geologic Time Scale 
• Getting into the Fossil Record – Educational module for students in grades 5-8 and 9-12 that teaches how fossils form)
• Virtual Petrified Wood Museum – Fossil identification, classification, descriptions, information about groups & Practice Tests
• Fossils Facts and Finds
• The Paleontology Portal – Excellent site with Fossil Gallery, Famous Fossil Locations, K-12 resources
• History of Earth & Life – University of Maryland course notes
• Library of Congress – Dinosaurs & Paleontology Resource Guide
• Dinomaynia – National Geographic Kids
• Dino Directory – Natural History Museum (London)
• PBS Eons  – History of life on earth series; numerous episodes
• What Caused the Cambrian Explosion?
• 5 Major Extinctions – Bright Side
• The Time Terror Birds Invaded – PBS Eons
• When Sea Lizards Crushed Sea Lilies – The Mesozoic Marine Revolution
• How Do We Organize the History of Life – Royal Terrell Museum 
• What Makes a Dinosaur a Dinosaur – Royal Terrell Museum
• Fossil ID Cards
• The Fossil Record - Modes of Life
• Fossil Websites and Resources 

Ward's Science & SCIENCE OLYMPIAD STORE MATERIALS

• New! Official Fossil Kit from Ward's Science
• Starter Pack - Fossils
• 2025 National Test Packet 
• 2022 National Test Packet
• 2021 National Test Packet

PRACTICE PROBLEMS & TESTS

• Practice Test - 2025 Bulls SO Invitational 
• Practice Test - 2025 Purdue Invitational 
• Practice Test - 2025 USC Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Northview Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 UT Austin Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Mira Loma Science Olympiad Invitational
• Practice Test - 2025 Mason High School Invitational 
• Practice Test - 2024 Brown University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2024 Case Western Reserve University Invitational
• Practice Test - 2024 GullSO Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 Northview Invitational
• Practice Test - 2023 UGA Invitational

EVENT SUPERVISOR RESOURCES

In addition to the resources on the Event Supervisors page, Fossils Event Supervisors should be sure to use the following resources:

• 2025 Event Logistics Resource

CAREER CONNECTIONS

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Geoscientists
• Career OneStop - Museum Technicians and Conservators