Geology 141 - Geosciences in the Makerspace

The great German paleontologist Dolf Seilacher;once remarked that "drawing enforces careful;observation." As a consequence, Seilacher drew;all of the illustrations for his influential;scientific publications. Taking Seilacher's;insight into three dimensions, in this course we;will utilize Mount Holyoke's Makerspace to;reconstruct ancient organisms. Studies have shown;that well-crafted reconstructions of ancient;creatures contribute substantially to improved;scientific interpretation of their functional;morphology, behavior and paleoecological role(s).;We will use Makerspace resources, Pixologic's;Sculptris, 3D printing and other tools to improve;our understanding of the morphologies and;activities of ancient organisms, while gleaning;information derived from the rock record to;analyze their ancient morphologies and behaviors.