Earth and Space Science Project Abstract
PALEONTOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES THROUGH FOSSIL EXTRACTION, PRESERVATION, AND FAMILIARITY EXERCISES BASED ON DIG EXPERIENCES
Presenter:
Vanessa Vardon, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; futbol02@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Kenneth Lacovara, Ph.D., Drexel University, College of Engineering, 3141 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Abstract:
Dinosaurs have fascinated adults and children alike for as many as 2000 years;
Greeks and Romans had legends of griffins and ogres while the Chinese made
references to dragon
bones found in writings by Chang Qu. These
larger-than-life reptiles seem to inspire awe and captivate in much the same way
giant beasts of today do, blue whales being an example. Paleontologists are
those lucky enough to pursue this childhood dream into an adulthood profession.
This mentorship afforded the opportunity to become a paleontologist for a
summer. It included full participation in a paleontological dig during July of
2001 in the Big Horn Basin between the Big Horn Mountains and the Pryor Mountains in Wyoming/Montana to
explore the Morrison Formation. While learning fossil preservation and
extraction techniques, extensive geological research was conducted to better
understand the area in which the large sauropod had existed. A weeklong
internship at the Academy of Natural Sciences in
Philadelphia, PA to work in a fossil preparation lab was also part of mentorship
existence.