News Release Date: September 15, 2014
Eric Scott, Curator of Paleontology (909) 798-8616 escott@sbcm.sbcounty.gov
For release: Immediately
Exhibit opens September 27, 2014
Fossils Underfoot to open at the County Museum
A special interactive exhibit, Fossils Underfoot, will open in the San Bernardino County Museums Hall of Geological Wonders on Saturday, September 27, 2014. An opening night reception for Museum Association members is planned for Friday evening, September 26. The exhibit is included with paid museum admission.
Our prehistoric past really comes alive in this new exhibit, said Eric Scott, the museums curator of paleontology. Visitors will have a chance to see fossils found in their own backyardliterally underfoot in and around San Bernardino County. They will also be able to test their skills and knowledge with interactive displays, and learn how fossils can give us clues to past life and geologic processes on Earth.
Displays will lead visitors through the early oceans that covered most of the county 500 million years ago, evidenced by extinct trilobites and ammonites that swam in these seas. Explore life during the Permian, as life began to move from water to land only to be nearly wiped out by the great Permian extinctions when about 75% of life in the ocean and 95% of life on land died off. Marvel as dinosaurs evolved to rule the earth, only to themselves suffer extinctionor did they? See the rise of mammals, from tiny creatures to the giants of the Ice Ages.
Museum guests will also be able for the first time to explore the first floor of the museums Hall of Geological Wonders and some of its exhibits.
A series of special programs and events are scheduled for families during Fossils Underfoot. On opening day, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guided tours and hands-on cart talks will be offered throughout the day, and children will learn how to build their own Dinoramaa dinosaur-themed shoebox diorama they can complete at home and bring to the museum to be displayed.
Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is Dinorama Day, with a special emphasis on learning and fun for children. Kids can bring their Dinoramas to be exhibit at the museum, make fossil replicas, enjoy dinosaur story time, and hear a talk from Curator of Paleontology Eric Scott especially for kids.
National Fossil Day is Wednesday, October 15. Visitors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. can bring in their own rock, mineral, or fossil treasures for identification by a museum curator as they learn from and interact with engaging cart talks offered by the museums education division.
Dinosaur Discovery Day is Saturday, October 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This major event includes cart talks, dinosaur story time, dinosaur mask-making, face painting, dinosaur story time, cockroach races, and a big variety of games and crafts. Science wont be ignored on Dinosaur Discovery Day either: three guest scientists who are experts on current dinosaur research will speak throughout the day.
Get ready for Halloween with Ghost Dinosaur Day on Saturday, October 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The emphasis of the day is dinosaur fact and fiction, along with a good dose of Halloween fun. Curator of Paleontology Eric Scott will offer another especially-for-kids talk. Make a dinosaur mask and try out some hands-on learning fun. Wear your Halloween costume!
Fossils Underfoot is sponsored in part by the San Bernardino County Museum Association with support from San Bernardino County Libraries.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services telephone number is 909-307-2669.
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