Tyrannosaurus Comes to Life in High-Tech Exhibit

Young paleontologists can take part in a simulated fossil dig, go on a nature hunt and see a 9 1/2-foot-tall, 18-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex at the Los Cerritos Center’s back-to-school celebration through Sept. 30.

The celebration features the T-rex, which will come to life with the help of sophisticated technology. On Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 26, budding paleontologists will use brushes and shovels in a dinosaur dig.

Other activities will include nature programs and a prehistoric petting zoo, featuring a 12-foot Burmese python and Australian bearded dragons on Sept. 25 and 26.

Call (310) 860-0341.

ENGINEERING

* Visions of electric transportation in the future will be part of a special exhibit at the California Museum of Science and Industry, South Hall, through Oct. 11. Entries from the design competition, “Electric Vehicle and the American Community: A National Planning and Design Competition,” will be on display. Call (213) 744-7400.

PALEONTOLOGY

* A new lifelike robotic exhibit at the George C. Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries demonstrates the predatory nature of the saber-tooth cat in a simulated attack on a ground sloth at the museum through Sept. 26. Call (213) 936-2230.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

* Children and their parents can unlearn some of the common misinformation they’ve heard about reptiles at the Los Angeles Zoo’s “Slimy Grimy Reptiles . . . Not!” program, Saturdays in September. Reptile experts will be on hand to answer questions. In conjunction with the programs, the zoo will be offering a teacher-training class on reptiles on Saturday, and one for preschool children on snakes beginning Monday. Call (213) 666-4090, or for class information, (213) 666-4650, Ext. 5.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

* The Citrus College Child Development Center will host a seminar, “Birth to Three: Disabilities/Possibilities,” for parents of children with disabilities and child care professionals at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Preregistration is advised; call (818) 914-8501.

ORNITHOLOGY

* Visitors can join naturalist Joan Lentz in an eight-week class to observe bird life in the Santa Barbara area offered by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History beginning Sept. 22. Enrollment is limited and registration is required. Call (805) 682-4711.