Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

From the Education Desk

September! Does that mean that we have only 4 months left before 2009? Where did the time go? We have had so many wonderful events this year and will still have more before the year closes out. We hope you were able to join us for these past activities and will continue to take part in our upcoming programs.

September is a fun and busy month with school starting, Grandparents Day on Sept 9 and Constitution Week Sept. 17-23. The Wizard of Oz was first published on Sept. 3, 1900 and Mickey Mouse made his debut in Sept, 1928. Autumn begins Sept. 23, and although it is such a beautiful season with the leaves turning gorgeous colors, I am not ready for summer to be over.

Please look at our website for details on future happenings like our Early Release Day Program. We have exciting programs for elementary and middle school students on these afternoons. Sign up sheets are at the museum or call 686-1820 ext. 104 for more information. Some of the topics will be: Shells, Minerals and Rocks, T.rex Day and Marine Reptile/Croc Day. Please call for a list of additional classes.

This month I thought I would give a short overview of the Mesozoic Time Line, which is known as The Age of Dinosaurs.

The Triassic Period, 248 to 206 million years ago, saw the first appearance of dinosaurs such as the carnivores Coelophysis and Herrerasaurus. Plateosaurus was one of the early herbivores. Cycads, small seed ferns and ginkgoes flourished during this time in the dry climate, with the largest trees being the conifers.

The Jurassic Period, 206 to 144 million years ago, saw more diverse types of dinosaurs like Allosaurus and Compsognathus, and giant sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus. The landscape was much greener and lush than in the Triassic.

The Cretaceous Period, 144 to 66 million years ago, saw dinosaurs like Ankylosaurus, Triceratops, Velociraptor and of course Tyrannosaurus rex. By the Late Cretaceous, flowering plants were widespread, their evolution aided by the appearance of bees. Conifers thrived, along with representatives of many modern trees, including figs and magnolias. The Cretaceous (from the latin creta, for chalk) was named for the extensive beds of chalk found in the upper Cretaceous of Britain and adjacent continental Europe.

See you next month and remember,
“Reality is the leading cause of stress for those in touch with it”

Regards,

Geri LeBold
Education Director
geri@rmdrc.com