Morrill Hall's Sunday with a Scientist explores snakes Feb. 23

            The University of Nebraska State Museum's next Sunday with a Scientist program for children and families will explore snakes of the past and present. The program will be 1:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine Streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus.

            Jason Head, assistant professor in the UNL Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and curator of vertebrate paleontology in the NU State Museum; Dennis Ferraro, herpetology professor in the UNL School of Natural Resources; and Jonathan Bloch, associate professor at the University of Florida and associate curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History, will present information about the world's largest snake--60 million year old Titanoboa cerrejonesis and modern day snakes of Nebraska. Visitors will learn about these slithering specimens and their relationship to climate change.

            Visitors will also explore the exhibit "Titanoboa: Monster Snake," have the opportunity to interact with live snakes and learn the importance of snake conservation.

            The Smithsonian traveling exhibition "Titanoboa: Monster Snake" comes to the museum as part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and will remain in Elephant Hall through Sept. 7.

            Sunday with a Scientist is a series of presentations that highlight the work of scientists, while educating children and families on a variety of topics related to science and natural history. Presenters share scientific information in a fun informal way through demonstrations, activities or by conducting science on site. Sunday with a Scientist takes place from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.

            The University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History in Morrill Hall is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Regular admission is $6 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years), free for children 4 and under, and $13 for families (up to two adults and children). UNL staff, faculty, and students are admitted free with NU ID during all regular hours. Friends of the Museum are also free. Parking is free in front of the museum. For further information, telephone the museum at 402-472-2642 or go to http://www.museum.unl.edu.

Writer: Mandy Haase, NU State Museum