'Dinos and Disasters' Feb. 7 at University of Nebraska State Museum
Released on 01/13/2009, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009
WHERE: University of Nebraska State Museum (Morrill Hall), 14th and U Streets
The University of Nebraska State Museum and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Geosciences will host their annual family fun day, "Dinosaurs and Disasters" 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 7. Attendance topped 2,000 last year and weather permitting, the same turnout is expected this year.
The museum is in Morrill Hall, 14th and U streets on the UNL City Campus. "Dinosaurs and Disasters" provides a day of discovery and hands-on activities throughout the building with more than 20 stations staffed by UNL scientists, and graduate and undergraduate students. This year's theme is "Changes Over Time." Activities and games will interpret changes in climate, changes in animals and changes in plants in Earth's history.
The event provides interactive stations that explain the science behind natural disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and geysers. Visitors will discover more about dinosaurs and their living relatives, the birds. Other stations unravel the clues in the paleontological record of horses, elephants and other mammals. Become a 'survivor' in an Earth history game or decode Antarctica's climate history. Investigate a 6-foot tornado, a weather station and radar, or relax with hours of weather events on video. There will be opportunities for all ages.
Visitors are also encouraged to bring rocks or fossils to the museum for the professionals to identify. This is one of the museum's most popular stations among visitors and scientists alike.
Mueller Planetarium will show "Origins of Life," a full-dome show projected in 360-degree format. "Origins of Life" is an inspirational journey through time and a celebration of the Earth's natural history. Showtimes are 11 a.m., noon, and 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
Admission to the museum is $5 for adults (19 and older), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and younger are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and their children). There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Parking is free. For more information, call (402) 472-2642 or visit www.museum.unl.edu.