How to make a fossil

What you'll need:

- modeling clay
- a loose mixture of water and Plaster of Paris
- dish detergent
- small shells. figurines or small models of dinosaurs

Instructions:

1. Use the modeling clay to make a rectangular shaped box.

2. Cut the box in half.

3. Mark the ends of each half so that you can match them later.

4. Cover the shell or shape that you choose with the dish detergent.

5. Press the shell or shape into one half of the clay box.

6. Now match the other half of the box and press it over the shell of shape that you used. Press them gently together so that you will get a deep imprint.

7. Carefully separate the halves of the box and take out the shell or shape.

8. Pour some of the mixture of water and Plaster of Paris into the imprints left in the clay. Put the parts back together and leave the Plaster of Paris to dry. This may take a few days.

9. Tap gently on the clay box to remove any air bubbles that may have formed.

10. When the Plaster of Paris is dry, remove the clay box halves and take out the fossil.

11. The fossil can be painted.