Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life to Open New Interactive
Paleontology Exhibit
Permanent exhibit provides hands-on learning experience for visitors of all ages
LEHI, Utah (March 3, 2011) – Thanksgiving Point’s Museum of Ancient Life opened a brand new
permanent exhibit, “Paleontology is Puzzling,” on Tuesday, March 1. The interactive experience is a
model of the paleontological process showing a digging site with bones of four dinosaurs
(Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Camptosaurus, and Allosaurus) scattered in a quarry-type
environment.
Visitors will become the paleontologist by finding bones from the different dinosaurs, which are
often mixed together, and assemble the correct pieces to form the species. As visitors dig and find
the pieces, they will use a magnetic wall to assemble them.
“This exhibit is unique because it allows visitors to see to a small extent of the work paleontologists
do in the field and back at the lab,” said Rick Hunter, Staff Paleontologist at the Museum of Ancient
Life. “It allows them to do the work of a paleontologist and not just watch it behind glass or on a
video. We are excited to open this new exhibit for our guests and hope they have as much fun using
it as we did designing and building it.”
In addition to the new exhibit, the Museum of Ancient Life currently has a popular dirt quarry
where children dig and brush fixed dinosaur bones under the sand. The new exhibit will allow users
to not only find bones, but pick them up and put them together.
The “Paleontology is Puzzling” exhibit was funded by a grant from the Office of Museum Services.
Admission is included with Museum of Ancient Life admission. Visitors can purchase admission at
the Museum of Ancient Life or online at www.thanksgivingpoint.org.
(www.thanksgivingpoint.org)
About Thanksgiving Point
Created in 1996 by Alan and Karen Ashton, Thanksgiving Point is the cultural gathering place for the community that
promotes the renewal of mind and spirit in a beautiful and family-friendly setting. Thanksgiving Point is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization dedicated to providing guests with a one-of-a-kind, hands-on opportunity for discovery and an
entertaining educational experience in a variety of arts and sciences. Thanksgiving Point is located just off I-15 at the
Point of the Mountain. For more information call (801) 768-2300 or visit www.thanksgivingpoint.org.
Contact:
Erica Brown
Thanksgiving Point Director of Communications
801-592-9688
ebrown@thanksgivingpoint.org