Public Libraries will host a special “Dinosaur Dig” with Field Paleontologists Mike and Roberta Straka programs as part of this year’s Summer Reading Program! Youth and their families are invited to take part in a scientific exploration highlighting the world of dinosaurs, fossils and rocks/minerals. Each year the team explores the badlands of North and South Dakota excavating dinosaurs.
Their fun-filled show will cover the formation of fossils, herbivores vs. carnivores, basics of geology (rocks and minerals). The team will discuss their work as field paleontologists and background in geology. There will be an interactive fossil talk to ready the Junior Paleontologists to go on their dig! Field Paleontologist Mike will cover how and where fossils can be located. See some amazing discoveries from the time of the dinosaurs to the time of the ice age. The team will set up a “museum of artifacts” to view.
Paleontologist Roberta will take the Junior Paleontologists on their dig for real dinosaur fossils and construct or build a dinosaur with the findings! Program includes a fossil talk and highlights some of Mike and Roberta’s amazing discoveries. This “hands-on” program is special because everyone will handle real dinosaur fossil bones – not plastic. Construct a dinosaur dig site right in the library! Dinosaur Dig programs begin on June 19 and run until August 2.
Dinosaur Dig Program Schedule at Public Libraries
About the Presenters Mike and Roberta Straka are field paleontologists who have been conducting and managing paleontological digs in North and South Dakota since 1978. Each year, they teach paleontology and geology in elementary schools and libraries throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In addition, Mike is the lead curator for teams’ fossil collection. Roberta self-published her first children’s book, “Roberta’s, Wonderful Dinosaur Adventure.” They are both excited to share their love of dinosaurs with libraries this summer.
This program complies with the PA Academic Standard for Earth Science. The dynamics of earth science include the studies of forces of nature that build the earth and wear down the earth. The understanding of these concepts uses principles from physical sciences, geography and mathematics.
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