STEMNET Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network

Jurassic Lark II at the Glasgow Science Festival

 ‘Science Sunday’ at the University of Glasgow: 10th of June 2012

Hundreds of visitors braved Scotland’s famous rainy weather to be treated to a host of fantastic scientific activities as part of the Glasgow Science Festival’s ‘Science Sunday’ at the University of Glasgow.

As part of this immensely popular family day, the Pop Up Museum team were delighted to present ‘Jurassic Lark II’ and to show over 700 visitors a wide range of historical artefacts and zoological specimens which  demonstrates how science has helped us understand the past.

Our famous ‘hands-on’ policy ensured that everyone got the opportunity to handle the many original artefacts that dated from around 7000 years to 56 million years ago. One particular favourite was the coprolite (dinosaur poo), which helps scientists understand what the dinosaurs ate and the environment in which they lived. It is not expected that poo should look so pretty!

We also displayed a cast of dinosaur eggs (the actual eggs were upstairs in the Hunterian Museum in safe keeping) and explained that scientists used CT scans to see inside them and in fact discovered that one of the eggs contained a tiny developing dinosaur!

A particular favourite of the PUM team and visitors alike was the skin of the Zoology department’s current tarantula resident. Spike the tarantula may scare many children and adults alike but the skin is a fantastic way to allow many to get tactile and see the details of the creature up close.

Visitors were able to be part of the Jurassic ‘Lark’ by dressing up as cave men and women and which was a huge hit with visitors young and old. As well as this, we also brought along a Palaeolithic scenic board for photo ops!

The Glasgow Science Festival is not over yet, so why not check out the other fantastic events on offer.