PALEONTOLOGYST1

Designed to promote natural sciences such as geology, paleontology, and biology among
the young people of Toas Island. A unique geological treasure within Venezuela and the
world.

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The Young Paleontologists program was created at late 2015, within the framework of the #projectToas. After a day dedicated to Environmental Community Cinema, where the documentary "Gea and the Fossils" was screened. Children and adults of the Toas Island community said they had seen some similar pieces of those projected in the documentary.

After a few days, we organized an excursion where we found several «guide fossils» such as fossilized bivalves, oysters and snails, which indicates the existence an ancient prehistoric echo system. After these findings, we decided to undertake a “research and training program”. To apply it as experiential education to generate empowerment in young people.

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With the support of some biologists, geology students, palaeontologists enthusiast and local teachers we designed a training program to study the paleo fauna of the island and protect these prehistoric treasures. After 3 study cohorts. Our young children have improved their grades performance inschool and made several findings (they have found over 30 alleged important fossil pieces).Currently scientists specialized in paleontology and paleo biology of Switzerland, the United States and Poland are evaluating these pieces 3 years since the beginning of this project, we have trained more than 60 children in geology and paleontology. We are forming 10 young scientific prospects who have developed advanced knowledge in geology, paleontology and paleobiology under the mentorship of scientists from the smithsoinian institute of washington and the university of
zurich.

 

 The Toas Island, is the only island within Venezuelan territory to present in its geomorphology
5 geological formations in an insular territory, the geological history is endowed with a
lithographic record, very important for the study of the geological and paleontological
areas. Within its territory, a number of fossil pieces have been discovered which refer to
the presence of a Prehistoric Eco System.