Science / Medicine : Dinosaurs Are Big at County Museum
The evolution and distribution of dinosaurs and the latest fossil discoveries are explored in more than 150 paintings, drawings and lifelike sculptures in two exhibits currently at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Together, “Dinosaurs Past and Present” and “Dinosaurs--A Global View” exemplify the collaborative efforts of scientists and artists to shed light on these creatures.
Examples of some of the tallest, heaviest and oldest known dinosaurs are included in the collections, including a 20-foot-long model of an allosaurus. This will be the last chance to view “Dinosaurs Past and Present,” which ends in Los Angeles after a five year international tour, and the first chance to see “Dinosaurs--A Global View.” This is the only time both exhibits will be seen together.
The exhibits run through Aug. 25. Call (213) 744-3466.
BIRDS AND BOTANY
Dustin Alcala of the Theodore Payne Foundation will lead an Audubon Society hike to the Cooper Canyon and Chilao areas of Angeles National Forest to examine plant and bird life Aug. 4 beginning at 8 a.m. Call (213) 876-0202.
SCIENCE FOR KIDS
The El Dorado Nature Center continues its Super Science Series with classes available for children ages 5-7 and 8-10. They can learn about earthquakes, bugs, reptiles and cleaning up the environment in a variety of classes. Reservations are required. Call (213) 421-9431, Ext. 3415.
In conjunction with the summer-long “Invent Event,” the Museum of Science and Industry is offering “Brainstorming Sessions” for children to put their heads together to come up with innovative ways of dealing with the drought. Sessions are held Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 8. Call (213) 744-7440.
Summer programs at the Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro are also under way with a number of hands-on workshops. Children will be able to explore local tide pools, handle live marine animals and examine marine life under a microscope in the classroom and in the field. Reservations are required. Call (213) 548-7562.
Children and their parents, after visiting the dinosaur exhibits mentioned above, can create their own dinosaurs in clay in classes offered by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on July 27 and Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Call (213) 744-3534.
SCIENCE FOR EDUCATORS
Strategies for classroom teaching based on the concept of animal adaptations will be the focus of a class for teachers of kindergarten through sixth grade, offered by UCLA Extension on Aug. 2 and 3. Classes will be held at the Los Angeles Zoo. Call (213) 825-2960.
PALEONTOLOGY
The annual summer excavation of Pit 91 at the La Brea Tar Pits is well under way and will continue through Aug. 31. Scientists expect some interesting discoveries because excavators are nearing the center of the deposit where many fossils are located. Visitors can view the excavation from an observation station. Call (213) 936-2230.
