Educational Activities.

General School Tours

The Paleon Museum is dedicated to the education of children of all ages. Each year we see many students during the school year for special tours of the facility. The students range from preschool to high school and are from schools throughout Wyoming.

Their tour begins at the museum with an overview of the display area and an in-depth “mini tour” of our preparation lab. Each group is given an age-appropriate set of questions to answer while they are here. These questions are designed to enhance their understanding of our facility as well as give their teachers an opportunity to expand the experience back into the classroom if they wish. During the warmer months, a second part is added to the tour—a trip to the Rock in the Glen. Here students will discover trace fossils as well as fossils from marine life of which they are allowed to take one home!

 

Glenrock High School Outreach Lectures

At designated times during the school year, our Paleontologist visits local high school classes to discuss his scientific field and the jobs that extend from it. This allows the student a glimpse into the diversity of Paleontology and also a new way to view the possible employment opportunities which lie there.

 

Your Ride Program

The Paleon Museum has been among the fortunate group asked to periodically take part in the elementary school enrichment days put on by Your Ride. Your Ride is an enrichment day coordinator which selects different groups to go into elementary schools in Natrona County and spend from half to full days talking to the classes about their profession. In taking part, the Paleon hopes to spark the scientific curiosity of these children and foster a continued love of learning.

 

High School Summer School Program

In 2006, the Paleon Museum began holding summer school for those high school students needing a credit in Science. The classes are 10 days each from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The students are taken into our field area the first half of the day to learn Paleontological procedures and experience hands-on exactly what a Paleontologist does in the field. The second half of the day is spent in the classroom learning various scientific procedures and how to apply them to everyday situations. The dates for this year’s summer school will be posted on the calendar as they are made available.

 

Dig Schools

Each and every year, people from across the country join us for our week-long dig schools.

The experience starts with a welcome barbecue at the museum for our guests. Your week is spent at our dig sites just outside of Glenrock with mornings in the field and afternoons in the prep lab. Instruction is given by the museum Paleontologist, Sean Smith, the museum staff, and Dr. Robert Bakker. The cost is $1,200.00 per person and includes hotel accommodations, meals (alcoholic beverages not included), and local transportation. For more information, please contact the museum at 307-436-2667.

 

Day Digs

For those people who would like the Paleontology experience, but who do not have the time to spend a week with us, we offer day digs. These digs are a “crash course” in the work done here at the museum and start with a trip to our field site at 9:00 a.m. With an hour for lunch, participants will have plenty of time to rest and eat at one of Glenrock’s fine establishments before coming back to the museum to learn fossil preparation techniques. The cost is $75 per person, or $150 for a family of four and 24 hours notice is required to set up the dig. For more information, contact the museum at 307-436-2667.