Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries

See how scientists' new discoveries, new technologies, and new ideas continue to transform paleontology and our understanding of how dinosaurs looked, moved, behaved, and died. Plan a field trip to Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries and try out classroom and field trip activities from the Educator Guide, check out accompanying Harris Educational Loan Materials, and take part in student programs for an in-depth exploration of dinosaurs!

Field Trips
Pre-registration is required for students to visit this special exhibition. View pricing and admission policies. Register on-line or indicate your interest on your field trip registration form. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Educator Guide
To prepare students for their trip, take advantage of the activities and information provided in the Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries Educator Guide, available March 2007.

Student Programs
Student Lecture: T. rex: Fast or Fiction?
Grades 6-9
Dr. John R. Hutchinson
Structure & Motion Lab, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Get under the skin of Earth's largest creatures! Hutchinson studies the anatomy of large land animals--including elephants and dinosaurs--and uses modern methods of biomechanics to explore how size affects the way these animals move. You'll see how his use of computer simulations reveals the way complex muscles, tendons, and bones of the limbs work to produce locomotion, illustrating the difference in these animals.
Friday, April 13, 2007, 10:30am
$3 per Chicago student, $4 per student outside Chicago
Please note: Tickets to Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries requires separate registration and is not included in the price of this lecture.

High School Press Preview: Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries
Attention Newspaper and Journalism Advisors! You and your student journalism staff are invited to join us for a private exhibition tour and an exclusive dialogue with exhibition designers and scientists. Later, students can submit their article to the Museum, and we’ll publish the best ones.
Thursday, April 26, 2007, 9am–noon
Call 312.665.7506 to register.
Free to high school journalism staff, accompanied by advisors/chaperones.
Includes entrance to the Museum and accompanying exhibition.

Student Classes
Field of Wonder (preK-2)
Need an activity for your pre-K through 2nd grade students? Check out this exciting opportunity designed to engage even the smallest visitor in exploring the Earth and its peoples. Register for our Dinosaurs program to engage your students in a comparison of carnivores and herbivores by comparing sizes and shapes of teeth using real fossils and casts.
Tuesday-Friday at 10:15 or 11:15am
Free with Field Trip registration; Maximum 30 students

Footprints of the Past (K-4)
Explore the fascinating creatures that have roamed the Earth since the dawn of time, and compare them to today’s animal kingdom.
Monday-Friday, 10am-12:30pm
$3 per Chicago student, $4 per non-Chicago student

The Great Fossil Hunt (3-8)
Find out what it takes to be a paleontologist! Students will learn about the process of fossilization as they search the floor of The Field Museum for fossils. Then they'll unearth and prepare a life size dinosaur for display as they theorize about ancient life and discover what fossils can tell us about the past.
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-12:30pm
$3 per Chicago student, $4 per non-Chicago student
Offsite programs also available

The Life of Earth (5-8)
Travel back through the history of this amazing planet we call Earth and understand how it has evolved to the place we live today.
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-12:30pm
$3 per Chicago student, $4 per non-Chicago student

Evolution 101 (9-12)
Join us for an in-depth look at the basics of evolution and its importance to scientific research. Tour Evolving Planet and other exhibitions to understand first-hand how evolution works in nature.
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-12:30pm
$3 per Chicago student, $4 per non-Chicago student

Classify This! (9-12)
Explore how scientists classify the worlds of plants and animals. Visit Evolving Planet and other exhibitions, then practice Linneaen classification, create cladograms, and look at how scientists use morphology and genetics.
Starting January 2007; Monday-Friday, 10:00am-12:30pm
$3 per Chicago student, $4 per non-Chicago student

Harris Educational Loan Materials
Teachers and parents can put real fossils in the hands of their students and children by borrowing one of these Experience Boxes for their classroom or home: Dinosaurs and Other Mesozoic Creatures; Dinosaurs and their Times: Cretaceous; Dinosaurs and their Times: Jurassic;300 Million Years Ago in Illinois; Hominid Evolution; Dinosaur Dinners. Visit the (link) Harris Educational Loan Center Web site to reserve these boxes now.

Teacher Workshops
Register by calling 312.665.7500.
Want to learn more about how to use the Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries exhibition in your classroom? Sign up now for these exciting professional development opportunities!

Just for Educators! Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries
(Grades K-12)
Get a private viewing of the most up-to-date look at how scientists are reinterpreting many of the most persistent and puzzling mysteries of the dinosaurs. See impressive fossils specimens and casts, get an idea of what dinosaurs looked like and how they moved, and then explore educational materials for your classroom.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007, 5-8pm
$20, members $18

Dino Biomechanics: The Science of Dinosaur Motion (Grades 9-12)
It’s not easy being big! Explore how giant dinosaurs moved by using math and physics concepts to bring the dinosaurs back to life. Learn how size influenced movement for some of the largest animals to ever have roamed the Earth from a Museum expert and a visit to Dinosaurs:Ancient Fossils, New Disoveries.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 5-8pm
$30, members $25 (includes boxed dinner)

Find more information about planning field trips to The Field Museum or download a registration form now.

Continue to Plan a Group Visit >>

Back to Planning Your Visit >>

Dinosaurs Exhibition | All About Dinosaurs | Photo Gallery | Field Museum Research | Educational Resources | Planning Your Visit | Events and Programs

© 2007 The Field Museum, All Rights Reserved
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605-2496
312.922.9410