Today at camp we learned all about creepy creatures of the Mesozoic Era, including dinosaurs, swimming and flying reptiles, and other amphibians and lizards that thrived at this time.
We started the afternoon with another mock dig site, this time of a Metoposaur–a giant salamander-like creature from the Triassic!
Next, we were fortunate enough to have the Assistant Curator of Paleontology, Bill Mueller, show us around the Fossil Prep lab at the Museum!
We headed back to the classroom to review the Geologic Time Scale to learn about the Mesozoic Era.
Then, it was important to learn the differences between true dinosaurs, swimming reptiles, and flying reptiles (Pterosaurs are NOT dinosaurs!)
Next, we went to check out some dinosaur skeletons in the Changing World gallery. Which dinosaur do you think is the most bizarre?
Finally, we finished up by learning how fossil casts are made using molds and plaster. We mixed up our own plaster to pour into T. rex tooth molds!
We will let our T. rex teeth dry overnight and learn how to paint them to mimic real fossils! We learned a lot about new dinosaurs, and even new non-dinosaurs, today, and we’ll unveil even more bizarre prehistoric creatures tomorrow!