Ep 12. Tooth or Consequences/Dinosicles

In the twelfth episode of season one of Dino Dan, titled "Tooth or Consequences/Dinosicles," we follow the adventures of the young paleontologist Dan Henderson as he attempts to identify a fossilized tooth. Dan's younger brother Trek and his friends remind him that he promised to take them on a dino-sicle hunt, a winter scavenger hunt to find fossils in the snow. Skeptical of their abilities to identify fossils correctly, Dan agrees to take them on the hunt after he finishes working on identifying the tooth.

Dan spends the first half of the episode closely examining the tooth using various tools and comparing it to the teeth of several different dinosaurs. He compiles a list of potential candidates, but none seem to match perfectly. Meanwhile, Trek and his friends are eagerly awaiting Dan's completion of his work and the start of the dino-sicle hunt. When Dan finally finishes identifying the tooth, he realizes that it belongs to a previously unknown species of dinosaur. Ecstatic, he rushes to share the news with Trek and his friends, unaware of the chaos that has ensued without his supervision.

Trek and his friends, armed with their dino-sicle scavenger hunt lists, have been hunting for fossils throughout the park. However, they quickly realize that they have no idea how to identify the different fossils they have found. They make several guesses, but are unsure if they are correct. In an effort to impress Dan, they decide to create their own fossil using a plaster cast and a dinosaur toy. But when they attempt to retrieve the toy from the cast too quickly, it breaks apart and becomes stuck inside the plaster. They become worried that they have ruined their chance to impress Dan.

Dan arrives to find his brother and his friends in a state of panic and self-doubt. He notices the plaster cast and asks them about it. They recount their failed attempt to create a convincing fossil, but Dan reminds them that the process of making accurate fossil replicas is tricky and requires practice. He shows them how to use the proper tools to extract the toy from the plaster cast and reassures them that they are still on the right track to becoming successful paleontologists.

With the toy dinosaur free, Dan uses it to illustrate how fossils are formed and give his brother and his friends a better understanding of the different types of fossils they have found. They are amazed by the knowledge he shares with them and are eager to continue their scavenger hunt and find more fossils. In the end, they present their findings to Dan, who is impressed by their progress and newfound interest in paleontology.

Overall, "Tooth or Consequences/Dinosicles" is an educational and entertaining episode that explores the process of identifying fossils and highlights the importance of practice and perseverance in the field of paleontology. It teaches children about different types of fossils and the exciting discoveries that can be made through careful observation and attention to detail. The episode also emphasizes the value of teamwork and sharing knowledge with others to achieve common goals.