Millions of years after dinosaurs became extinct, it took some very curious scientists to find them again! For this week of Women's History Month, we take a look at trailblazing women paleontologists to see what it takes to unearth giant lizards buried under layers of rock and sand, as well as paleoartists, who used the fossils to re-create what these animals might have looked like. Join us for a program as we dig deep into discovering dinosaurs!
READ: When Sue Found Sue by Toni Buzzeo, Diana Sudyka
From a very young age, Sue Hendrickson was meant to find things: lost coins, perfume bottles, even hidden treasure. Her endless curiosity eventually led to her career in diving and paleontology, where she would continue to find things big and small. In 1990, at a dig in South Dakota, Sue made her biggest discovery to date: Sue the T. rex, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever unearthed. Named in Sue's honor, Sue the T. rex would be placed on permanent exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. When Sue Found Sue inspires readers to take a closer look at the world around them and to never lose their brave, adventurous spirits.
PLAY: Dino Fact Challenge
Supplies:
- Printouts of various dinosaurs
Instructions:
- Write 3 facts on the back of each printout about each dinosaur, such as: its name, if it was a meat-eater (carnivore) or plant-eater (herbivore), if it walked on two legs or four, if it lived on land or water, etc.
- Hold up a picture of one of the dinosaurs, read one of the questions, and ask players to raise their hand if they know the answer. If they are right, they get a point. If they are not, give another player a chance to steal. Continue through the printouts, asking different questions and awarding points to correct answers. Whoever has the most points at the end, wins!
Note: if there are four or more players, they may be split into teams; play is the same except teams get the points vs. individual players.
EXPLORE: Create a Prehistoric Clothespin Creature!
What’s your favorite prehistoric creature? A flying Pteranodon, a fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex, or a spiky Ankylosaurs? In this activity we will use some basic drawing materials to create our favorite prehistoric creatures!
Supplies:
- 2 clothespins per dino drawing
- Cardstock or construction paper
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Markers, crayons, or other drawing implements
Instructions:
- Using a pencil, draw your favorite dinosaur onto a piece of cardstock or construction paper, but only draw the body and the head. Do not draw the legs.
- Trace over the pencil marks using a marker or other drawing implement (crayon, marker, etc.) to make a heavy outline
- Color and decorate the body of your dinosaur any way you like.
- Cut out the body of your dinosaur.
- Color the clothespins to match your dinosaur body.
- Clip the clothespins to the body of your dinosaur to help it stand upright.
If you need drawing inspiration, check out Let's Draw Dinosaurs Step By Step by Kasia Dudziuk, available on Hoopla.
JOIN: Attend a program virtually or in person!
View all school age programs and events offered this week.
For virtual programs, registration is required to receive the Zoom link; use the link in the program information to register.
For in person programs, registration is required; if space allows, walk-ins will be admitted. Use the link in the program information to register.
Jax Student Poetry Contest
This year, Jacksonville will have existed as a city for 200 years! To celebrate the Jacksonville Bicentennial, the City is having a Jax Student Poetry Contest and you can enter to win!
The contest is for Grades 4-12 and the theme is “Looking back, moving forward.” The top three poems from three age groups will win cash prizes!
Submit your poems by April 30th to enter – find out more here: https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/blog/jax-student-poetry-contest
