Dinosaurs

Q: What do you call a dinosaur that never gives up?
A: Try and try and try and try-sarratops

No real thing captures the imagination quite as thoroughly as dinosaurs. We don’t actually know much about them, save their shape and sizes, but we’ve made some very educated guesses. Decades of research by paleontologists have helped to recreate the world in which dinosaurs lived.

Give your child’s imagination a helping hand and bring him to the Dinosaur exhibit at the Catawba Science Center. Animitronic dinosaurs roar, thrash about, and one even tends to her newly hatched babies. While not quite life size, the dinos are very large, and each child that walks in seems amply impressed. The dinos are presented in chronological order, which adds a new dimension to the exhibit. There is also an area to view informational DVDs about dinosaurs. Also popular are the areas where children can dig for fossils.

This exhibit comes to the Catawba Science Center from time to time, and each time it does, the children in the area buzz about it. Liz P says, “I took my son to see the Dinosaurs when he was 2-he’s asked about them ever since. I can’t wait to take him back.” She’ll be happy to know the exhibit runs through September 2, 2012.

Want to know more? Keep reading! Listen to this song about paleontology while you read. It is called “I am a Paleontologist”.

Dinosaurs features six half-sized roaring, robotic dinosaurs including the king of dinosaurs –Tyrannosaurus rex – Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus, Dimetrodon, Stegosaurus and a mother Apatosaurus protecting her newly hatched babies. Go beyond the bones and see how these prehistoric creatures may have looked and sounded when they roamed the Earth millions of years ago. The exhibit offers interactive opportunities to learn about the lives of dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles. Learn about late Permian, late Jurassic and late Cretaceous periods, as well as where these prehistoric creatures lived and what their diet included.Visit the exhibit’s paleo-research camp, dig for fossils and participate in Weekly Dino Demos:

• Wednesday and Friday afternoons at 4 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m.

Dinosaurs will also feature a number of special events and activities for families throughout the exhibit, which will be on display at Catawba Science Center through Sept. 2.

Here’s a look at what’s coming up, starting Feb. 1:

Digging up the Past

Wednesdays, 4 p.m.Saturdays/Sundays 2 p.m.

Learn about tools used by paleontologists to uncover fossils that shed light on prehistoric plantsand animals. Use various tools to dig for fossils and identify them according to geologic time period.

Fossil Features

Fridays, 4 p.m.

Saturdays/Sundays, 2 p.m.

What is a fossil? Learn what makes an object a fossil, different types of fossils and how theyare formed. See authentic fossil finds, as well as reproductions and casts. Participants will make their own fossils molds using shell or bone and modeling clay.

Fossil Fair Trip

February 4

9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Join CSC Naturalist Bruce Beerbower for a field trip to the Fossil Fair at the Schiele Museum of Natural History. See fossils, minerals and gemstones on display from area clubs, paleontologistsand private collectors. Participate in hands-on activities, see a T. rex skeleton and more. CSC provides transportation. Cost: $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Call (828) 322-8169 to register.

Dino Family Day March 1710 a.m. to 4 p.m.Activities included with general admission include dino rubbings, fossil-making and a Dino Digslide show presented by CSC Naturalist Bruce Beerbower at 2 p.m. Learn about his adventures digging for dinosaurs, as well as an upcoming trip to Utah and Colorado, June 24 – 30.

Learn more about Dinosaurs, as well as exhibit-related programs, events and trips atwww.CatawbaScience.org. Dinosaurs is sponsored by George Foundation, Beaver Family Foundation, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Corning and Frye Regional Medical Center. Media sponsors are WFAE 90.3 fm,WBTV-3, WNC Magazine and Kicks 103.3 fm are media sponsors.

Catawba Science Center is a nonprofit science and technology museum in theWestern Piedmont with traveling exhibits, a digital planetarium theater and a marine touch pool with live sharks and stingrays. A community asset and regional destination,Catawba Science Center is dedicated to changing lives and inspiring learning throughscience and wonder. Learn more at www.CatawbaScience.org.CSC is funded in part by the United Arts Fund of Catawba County and is located in the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley, on the SALT Block, 243 3rd Avenue NE,Hickory.