Students at Roosevelt Middle School in Palm Beach County have learned an important lesson about science: it’s always changing.

During a recent visit by Sean Moran, a vertebrate paleontologist and University of Florida zoology Ph.D. student,  the students had an opportunity to practice the nature of science by examining shark tooth anatomy and calculating the length of an extinct shark species. The visit was part of the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida School Program, which has a mission to connect a scientist with every Florida school in the state. 

Moran started the conversation off by telling students the story of how the Florida Museum of Natural History came in possession of one of only 10 fully associated megalodon teeth sets in the world. Fully associated means that the  fossil teeth were found in close proximity, and are believed to be from the same shark individual. For fossilized teeth, this is a rare occurrence due to weathering and erosion events carrying away specimens.   

Student taking measurements of shark toothScientist interacting with students

Students used calipers to take crown measurements of the teeth, and then plugged their data into math equations used by shark biologists to determine the length of sharks. In the process, they discovered that the current equations used for living shark species, did not work for the extinct megalodon.

In fact, the results of their calculations led them to discover on their own how scientific theories can change with new evidence. Through further conversation, students discussed alternative tests to determine the size of megalodon. 

Applied Learning Standards

  • SC.7.N.1.5 Describe the methods used in the pursuit of a scientific explanation as seen in different fields of science.
  • SC.7.N.1.7 Explain that scientific knowledge is the result of a great deal of debate and confirmation within the science community.

By hearing from a real scientist about the dynamic nature of science, students were able to learn about how this plays out in the real world. If you would like to schedule a visit for your classroom, or learn more about the SEFS program visit: Scientist in Every Florida School Scientist Request Form