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Steven Leibman
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center
802-864-1848 ext. 125
sleibman@echovermont.org
Grace PerLee
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center
802-864-1848 ext. 131
gperlee@echovermont.org
Downloadable images
TOUCH THE PAST WITH "DINOSAUR DISCOVERIES"
Unique Prehistoric Collection At ECHO May 19 -
September 3
BURLINGTON, Vt -- Ever had the urge to touch a real
dinosaur egg, or to look a Velociraptor in the eye? Head to ECHO
this summer and you'll finally get your chance with "Dinosaur
Discoveries," running May 19 - September 3, sponsored by
Merchants Bank.
This special exhibit is an original compilation of some of
the premier prehistoric finds from around the globe, featuring
touchable, real dinosaur eggs, nests, and bones, plus giant
skeletons, animatronics, and sculptures of the "grown-up"
beasts. Phelan Fretz, ECHO's executive director, spent years
designing paleontology exhibits and brings this unique
collection to Vermont. Says Fretz: "It was truly exciting to
create this exhibit for ECHO, because the space lends itself so
well to large-scale works. With giant dinosaurs showcased
against the backdrop of our soaring ceilings and three-story
waterfall - it's like ECHO has been taken back in time to
prehistory."
Highlights of "Dinosaur Discoveries":
- The actual Velociraptor sculpture from "Jurassic Park,"
to compare with a life-size skeleton.
- "Baby Louie," the fossil of a dinosaur embryo discovered
in 1993; featured on the cover of National Geographic.
- A mammoth Pterosaur - displayed diving from the ECHO
rafters. This prehistoric reptile resembles a platypus
crossed with a crocodile; its wings spanning forty feet
across.
- Monolauphosaurus, a twenty foot meat-eater with menacing
three-inch-long teeth, and Stegosaurus, with his
diamond-shaped ridge bones and plant-grinding molars.
- Animatronics including an Oviraptor, a Protoceratops,
and a Saurolophus.
- Large prints of dinosaur-themed works by renowned
artists and photographers, highlighted by Louis Psihoyos and
Dennis Wilson, whose artistry has chronicled prehistoric
finds of the past twenty years.
- Real, touchable dinosaur eggs, bones, and nests;
fossilized and preserved over millions of years.
"Dinosaur Discoveries" includes pieces from several renowned
exhibits, including "Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park: The Lost World"
and "Chinasaurs" - both curated by "Dino" Don Lessem, author of
over forty paleontology books. Starring in the exhibit are the
eggs, nests, and bones of "Hatching the Past," the world-famous
collection of Florence and Charlie Magovern. "Baby Louie" - the
almost fully-intact Therizinosaur embryo - was discovered by
Charlie Magovern in 1993, and took the scientific world by
storm.
Prehistoric eggs and embryos are cherished within the
paleontology community - the information they contain about
dinosaur behavior and evolution has taken research forward by
leaps and bounds. It used to be a widely held belief that all
dinosaurs were cold-blooded, and that their offspring raised
themselves once hatched. We now know - largely through the study
of nests, eggs, and embryos such as "Baby Louie" - that not only
were some dinosaurs warm-blooded, they brooded their nests much
like a bird does today, and even continued to care for their
hatchlings after birth.
What will we find out next? The possibilities are vast, and
inspire further investigation by paleontologists and inquisitive
third-graders alike. "The compelling thing about dinosaurs is
how much tangible evidence we have to explore," says Phelan
Fretz. "All of science is a puzzle, but this puzzle isn't
limited to a microscope or a computer screen. You can really
pick these pieces up in your hand and see if, and how, they fit
together. 'Dinosaur Discoveries' will inspire meaningful ideas
and questions about planet Earth and our connection to it - and
that's what science is all about."
ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is located at the
Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, on Vermont's Burlington
Waterfront. ECHO features 70 species of live fish, amphibians,
invertebrates, and reptiles, over 100 hands-on experiences,
major traveling exhibits, and the multimedia Awesome Forces
Theater. The 2.2 acre site is also highlighted by the Lake
Champlain Navy Memorial, ECHO's Eclectic Gift Shop, and seasonal
café. Open year-round, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $7-$9.50;
children under 3 and K-12 classroom teachers with credential ID
are free. For more information visit echovermont.org, call
1-877-ECHOFUN, or write to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science
Center, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, One College Street,
Burlington, VT 05401. |
1.802.864.1848
