3 places to teach your kids about Utah’s ancient past
Those of us who live in the Western US have a unique natural heritage sitting just outside our back doors, and it’s written in the rocks that make up our natural landscape, holding millions of years’ worth of secrets.
Utah, in particular, has a rich natural history that provides lots of opportunity for getting kids and adults excited about learning science, biology, geology and more.
If you haven’t already, you should take advantage of these learning destinations, where Utah’s prehistoric past is on full display.
1. Thanksgiving Point’s Museum of Ancient Life
Ceratosaurus nasicornus vs Tanycolagreus topwilsoni at the North American Museum of Ancient Life in Lehi, Utah. #science #tanycolagreus #ceratosaurus #paleo #paleontology #dinosaur #dinosaurs #fossil #reptile #bird #animal #museum #biology
The main characters of Utah’s ancient story are the dinosaurs that once roamed this land. Much of what is now desolate in Utah was once covered by Lake Bonneville, and there are plenty of examples of that aquatic past at Thanksgiving Point’s dinosaur museum, the Museum of Ancient Life.
There, you’ll see exhibits showcasing creatures and plants stretching all the way back to the Precambrian era. Find out how life evolved into creatures like the massive Utahraptor and the smallest known dinosaur, the Compsognathus. Kids can experiment with interactive exhibits to learn how erosion works and see how fossils are actually made.
3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi
http://www.thanksgivingpoint.org/visit/museumofancientlife
2. Natural History Museum of Utah
Utah’s natural history is about more than just giant lizards, though. At the newly constructed Natural History Museum of Utah, you’ll find fossil exhibits teaching about paleontology, anthropological exhibits studying the origins of human life and culture, botany exhibits and mineralogical studies that teach you more about the planet in general, and Utah in particular.
One of the most interesting features of the museum is the Entomology Collection, which includes hundreds of thousands of specimens of insect life, which is, after all, the bulk of the life that exists on the planet. The NHMU collection focuses on insects from the Wasatch Front, but carries specimens from six continents.
301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City
http://nhmu.utah.edu/
3. Dinosaur National Monument
The Dinosaur National Monument is the only place on Earth where you can view so many dinosaur bones in their original locations, partially exposed in the actual rock they were fossilized in so long ago. The main viewing building was closed for years for a structural upgrade that is designed to protect the quarry where so many of those bones lay exposed.
Not only can you explore the fossilized evidence of Utah’s prehistory in Vernal, where the Monument is located, but you can take scenic hikes on the Fossil Discovery Trail that will let you see the actual geological changes that have formed our landscape over time. If you’re taking a rafting or camping trip in the area, this is a must-see.
http://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm
Utah’s Natural History
Now is a great time to learn about Utah’s history. Whether you’re interested in learning about the fascinating geology which is on such grand display along the Wasatch Front, or the undersea (now desert) landscapes that cover the south end of the state, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and teach about the ancient past.
Never before have there been so many places to learn about the history of life in Utah, either. All three of these sites are a valuable resource to people who live in the state, and they just weren’t around when I was a kid. If you’re a teacher or just a parent who is trying to get your kids excited about science in general, these are the places you need to seek out. They’re kid-friendly, close-by and full of brilliant exhibits you just won’t find anywhere else in the state.
Bronson Tyler is a writer, marketing professional and outdoor enthusiast. He’s excited about learning hands-on natural history in Utah’s ample outdoor treasures. When he isn’t writing for the Thanksgiving Point Institute, you’ll find him in the mountains and canyons, in all sorts of weather.
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