Student Discovers Fossil Leaf at Outdoor Science School

Julia Salazar, Foster Elementary School
Baldwin Park Unified School District

This is Julia Salazar of Foster Elementary School. She made an unexpected discovery as she was exploring weathering and erosion at the Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School at Malibu. Students sometimes use rock hammers to break open a rock to compare internal features with their external appearance. Julia broke open a rock to reveal a fossilized leaf! 

As far as is known, this is a first in the almost 60 year history of the Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School!

Her discovery leads to other questions ... What kind of rock is this? How is it similar to other rocks found in the area? How is it different? Are there other fossil-bearing rocks nearby? Where did this rock come from? How did it get here?

There is always something exciting to discover and learn at the Outdoor Science School, but this was a truly unique opportunity. The specimen will become part of the permanent collection at Malibu OSS with notation of Julia's name and school.

Fossil leaf found by Julia Salazar at the Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School at Malibu.