Dinosaur Day
Saturday, March 1, 2008
10 am – 4 pm

Discover your own fossils at this year's Dinosaur Day family event at the Burke Museum, Sat., March 1. Paleontologists will be on hand to help kids crack into real shale rock using chisels. If you find a fossil treasure inside, you get to take it home!

The fossil focus continues with live demonstrations by Burke Museum paleontology specialist Bruce Crowley, who will work on a real Tyrannosaurus rex fossil bone, collected in Wyoming by Burke paleontologists in 2007. Watch as he uses the tools of the trade to crack away rock and uncover the 65 million year old bones of the Earth’s most ferocious beast.

New this year: See the incredible, 21-foot-long, 145 million year old ichthyosaur fossil recently installed in the museum. Get up close to the newest giant marine reptile, the nothosaur, which will be on view inside its crate for the first time in the Burke lobby.

Plus, Burke paleontologists will bring up bones from the depths of storage to amaze visitors with the incredible diversity and power of the dinosaur. Look through tables of dinosaur bones and other ancient vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and minerals. All displays are staffed with the most knowledgeable dinosaur experts in the Pacific Northwest. Talk with the experts and learn what fossil work is really like.

Other activities include a Dinosaur Romp Room – where kids dress up with dinosaur body parts – and the ever popular Dino Drawings of Mark Orsen.

This event is presented in partnership with the Northwest Paleontology Association and the Stonerose Interpretive Center. 

Parking is provided in several lots throughout the UW campus. Ask for available parking options at the toll booth when entering campus, or go to the University of Washington Commuter Services Web site for parking instructions. Parking is free after 12 noon on Sat., March 1.