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MARCH 2012
the Dinosaur” exhibit gave us the opportunity to showcase some of our rarely seen fossils, and allow visitors from the Inland Empire a
glimpse of real dinosaur fossils without having to travel to Los Angeles or San Diego.”.
Included with the new fossil display are new interpretive panels that dis- cuss recent research in dinosaur paleontology, like “what were Tyrannosaurus’ tiny arms used for?”, and “how hard could they bite?” Also included is a small panel on local amateur paleontologist Harley Garbani,who found the fossils and donated them to the Western Science Center. The “Be The Dinosaur” exhibit allows visitors to experience the lost world
of dinosaurs in an interactive way: What was a day in the life of a dinosaur like? How might they have lived? What can fossil evidence tell us about the way extinct animals lived their
lives? The exhibition, designed and produced by Eureka Exhibits, LLC., in Greer, South Carolina, includes
a full-scale replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex
skull, touch-screen kiosks, simulator stations, interpretive panels, and a field station with replica fossils. The simulators
Real Dinosaur Fossils added to “Be the Dinosaur!, A Special Exhibition at the Western Science Center Now through – April 29, 2012.
The Western Science Center announces the addition of more dinosaur fossils to their popular special exhibit - Be the Dinosaur!, a special exhibition that incorporates inquiry-based simulation technology to challenge the visitor to think like a dinosaur! The addition includes dinosaur specimens from the museum’s own collec-
tions, including eye horns, a rib bone and vertebra from a Triceratops; replica jaw bones from a Tyrannosaurus rex and a juvenile jaw, and toe bones from a Hadrosaur.
While the Western Science Center’s primary collections and exhibits fo- cus on specimens from the Ice Age that were found during the excavation of Diamond Valley Lake, there are other treasures housed in their expansive re- pository. Doug John, Assistant Curator of Paleontology stated “hosting the “Be
allow visitors to make decisions based on information provided at the interpre- tive stations. Visitors can experience the dinosaur life singularly or as a group; you can watch the other dinosaurs as you control your own. Try different be- haviors to see how that affects the life of your dinosaur. Artificially intelligent and scientifically accurate dinosaurs with muscle, nervous, sensory and digestive systems, were created by the exhibition team with a panel of scientific reviewers. The educational content was based on fos- sil evidence from the Hell Creek formation in the American Northwest. The fo- cus on T. rex and Triceratops reflects the predominance of fossil evidence from these species at the time period; it allows visitors to try different behaviors and compare the affect more easily. Tracy Frick, Administrative Director, noted “visitors, especially children,
enjoy the interactivity and vibrancy of the simulators and stations. It’s great to see children absorbing science through the use of the simulators and displays, learning lessons such as how scientists discern whether a T-Rex was a hunter or an opportunistic feeder, without really being aware that they are learning.” Teachers wishing to book field trips can refer to the website for reserva-
tion information and download a copy of the Education Guide at www.western-
sciencecenter.org; national science standards as well as example lesson plans are included.
The mission of the Western Science Center is to inspire our community to discover the past, explore the present, and promote a sustainable future. The Western Science Center is located near the east entrance to Diamond Valley Lake, at 2345 Searl Parkway in Hemet, CA 92543. For more information about the exhibit and programming, call (951) 791-0033, or visit: www.West-
ernScienceCenter.org.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm. Closed most Mondays.
Admission prices: Members – Free; Adults - $8.00; Military (Active Duty) – Free; Seniors - $6.50;
Students - $6.50; Youth - $6.00; Children (Age 4 and under) - Free. Western Science Center 2345 Searl Parkway, Hemet, CA 92543 For general museum information, call 951-791-0033 or visit www.
WesternScienceCenter.org
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