)— The Springfield Museums present a rare and exciting look at the life of dinosaurs through their eggs, nests, and embryos in Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies, on view May 25 through September 1 in the Springfield Science Museum. This remarkable hands-on exhibition offers an astounding array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe.
Although dinosaur eggs were first identified in the 1920’s, their scientific significance was not fully appreciated until the end of the 20th century. Today, dinosaur eggs are recognized for their enormous scientific value and for offering fascinating details and fresh insights into the behavior, growth, and evolution of dinosaurs.
Tiny Titans presents new discoveries about dinosaur reproduction and behavior and introduces some of the fascinating people and science behind these discoveries. This family friendly exhibition helps give credence to long debated theories that dinosaurs and birds are closely related.
A captivating experience for all ages, Tiny Titans invites visitors to touch real dinosaur bones and reconstructed nests, dig for eggs, experience hands-on exploration stations, and view animated video presentations featuring well-known dinosaur experts. Each science-rich section is enhanced with exciting life-like models of embryos and hatchlings, colorful illustrations of dinosaur family life and stunning photographs of some of the world’s most renowned dinosaur hunters and their discoveries.
The amazing collection of real fossils on view includes an authentic bowling ball-sized egg of a sauropod from Argentina – laid by a long-necked plant-eating titanosaur that lived 75 million years ago; a large cluster of eggs laid by a duck-billed, plant-eating dinosaur, and the longest dinosaur eggs ever discovered – almost 18 inches long – laid by a new giant species of oviraptor, a carnivorous, ostrich-like dinosaur.
“Dinosaurs are an ever-popular topic for all ages! We love this topic because not only is it fascinating to learn about animals that ruled the Earth millions of years before humans existed, but also because dinosaurs present so many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning opportunities,” says Jenny Powers, Director of the Springfield Science Museum. “I am excited to pair this exhibit with a show in our beloved Seymour Planetarium theater, and I hope families will enjoy the chance to have a complete dinosaur experience at Springfield Museums!”
Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?
During the run of Tiny Titans, the Seymour Planetarium presents Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? This full-dome show uncovers the science behind one of Earth’s greatest mysteries: the fate of dinosaurs. Audiences will explore impacts, cosmic collisions, and different types of evidence that can be found on the moons and planets of our solar system, and what we have come to know about the impact that likely killed off the dinosaurs and many other forms of life at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
“This is a great show for families as it follows a character named Maddie on a school field trip, ” says STEM Curator Kevin Kopchynski. “She learns first-hand about all of the evidence that points to an asteroid impact that struck right at the time the dinosaurs went extinct.”
Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? will be presented on Saturdays at 2 pm from May 25 through August 31. Planetarium shows are free for Museums members and $5 for visitors ages 8+ (in addition to museum admission).
Tiny Titans was developed by Charlie and Florence Magovern of The Stone Company, Boulder, Colorado in association with the Harvard Museum of Natural History and promoted by Silver Plume Exhibitions. The exhibit is sponsored locally by PeoplesBank.
Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? is produced by the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Seymour Planetarium upgrades made possible with major support from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.