Families visiting Dinosaur Isle Museum this Summer can enjoy a packed programme of fossil handling sessions, science activities and expert talks throughout the school holidays.
The Sandown attraction has announced a programme running from 29th July to 28th August, giving visitors the opportunity to get hands-on with real Isle of Wight fossils, meet museum scientists and discover more about the Island’s world-famous prehistoric past.
Every day, the museum’s popular Fossil Lab Hatch will be open from 10:00 to noon and 13:00 to 16:00, allowing visitors to handle genuine local fossils and chat directly with the scientists who study them.
On weekdays in the galleries, visitors can become palaeontologists in one of the museum’s special activities!
On Mondays and Fridays they can hunt for fossil shark teeth; while on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays they can use their own fingerprints to find their place in the evolutionary history of humans
Visitors can also enjoy talks from museum scientists every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Education Room at 13:00, and informal flash talks about the museum’s specimens may pop up in the galleries at any time!
Dr David Button, museum curator, said:
“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors throughout the summer holidays and giving people the chance to get closer to the Island’s incredible fossil heritage.
Article continues below this advertisement “From handling real fossils to meeting our scientists and taking part in family activities, there’s plenty happening for visitors of all ages.
“The Isle of Wight is one of the best places in Europe to discover prehistoric life, and we hope visitors leave with a greater appreciation of the remarkable discoveries that continue to be made here.”
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, chair of the council’s economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure committee, added:
“Dinosaur Isle is an internationally recognised museum and one of the Island’s most important cultural attractions.
“Its collection has been described by experts as second only to that of London’s Natural History Museum in the UK, making it a truly exceptional asset for the Isle of Wight.”
The museum, on Culver Parade, Sandown, is home to more than 35,000 fossils and geological specimens, many of them discovered on the Island, which is regarded as one of Europe’s richest locations for dinosaur remains.
And with the museum fully air conditioned, it’s also a great place to stay cool while enjoying a day out during the warmer weather.
All activities are included with normal museum admission.
For more information, visit the Dinosaur Isle Museum website: Dinosaur Isle Museum – Dinosaur Isle Museum
