The Woolly Mammoth

On Thursday this week, we ran the second of our STEM extension programs in school. Students had the opportunity to engage in a live video link to South Dakota, in the centre of the USA, where they were shown around a large sink hole dig where many Woolly Mammoth fossils have been discovered. The fossils are currently being examined and preserved. Students then engaged in a workshop led by the University of Queensland, in which they examined 3D printed replica teeth from the Woolly Mammoth and 2 other related elephant species. They had to use their critical thinking skills to determine what diets these animals would have had and what habitats they would have lived in. The workshop then explored the concept of ‘Cloning’, particularly the ethical arguments around whether or not scientists should try to clone the Woolly Mammoth species. It was great to see the students engaging in ethical discussions and coming to their own conclusions about the ethical considerations in bringing extinct animals back to life. We look forward to accessing other extension sessions during next semester.