Fossil Molds and Replicas

• The molds that come in your kit are very easy for children to use.

• Their broad base construction keeps them from tipping over.

• They have large openings for easy pouring and leveling.

• The molds can be washed with soapy water when necessary.

• They do not need any mold release.

• Spritzing each mold with a little soapy water will help alleviate tiny bubbles in cast.

• Molds can be used over and over.

Teacher prep:

Place 3 T. water in one plastic cup and 1/3 C. plaster in another and provide one spoon per set. One set is needed for each mold to be poured. Multiple cup set-ups can be prepared in advance and then set out when ready to use. Place the cup with the water, inside the cup with the plaster and add a stirring spoon to each water cup.

I like to have a cup with water and a cup with plaster and a spoon already to go when the child is ready to pour a cast. Use 3 T. (tablespoons) water and 1/3 C. (cup) plaster for each mold. The larger molds will require ½ C. of plaster and 4 T. of water. (Kits contains enough plaster to make approx. 25 casts. ) After mixing, make sure that when you pour the plaster doesn't run over the top of the mold but comes just to the top of the opening. This will make for a better cast. The more water used the longer the curing time, so mix to the consistency of pudding.

Student Activity:

1. Select the desired mold.

2. Pour the plaster into the water cup. (not the water into the plaster).

3. Using the plastic spoon, stir the mix until the consistency of pudding.

4. Pour mix into mold being careful not to overfill (use excess to fill larger molds).

5. Tap side of mold to level plaster and make bubbles rise.

6. Allow plaster to dry undisturbed for ½ to 1 hour.

7. When set, gently remove plaster cast from mold by pushing slightly on bottom of mold and lifting out the cast.

8. Allow each cast to cure (finish drying). Overnight is preferred.

9. Paint fossil cast – acrylics or water colors are fine.

To use paint purchased in kit: Place a small amount of 1 or more colors on a card or stiff piece of paper. Students can blend the different colors to create desired fossil colors.

Be sure to visit our website for more information and pictures showing the mixing, pouring and painting process. Additional 5 pound bags of plaster for more casts can be ordered from our website at a reasonable price. You may also contact your local masonry supply co. for additional plaster.

Note: The various colors of the molds and the slight blemishes are products of the molding process and do not alter in any way the quality of the mold or the outcome of the cast.