Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries

该奖项将为北卡罗来纳自然科学博物馆的观众提供一个关于6800万年前恐龙的当代科学故事。在这次展览背后的研究中，软组织（蛋白质和DNA）已经被分离出来，并将反映动物及其栖息地的各种特征。从科学上讲，这是一个非常令人兴奋的冒险，因为到目前为止，人们一直认为软组织已经丢失，无法从化石中提取。所以，这是现代化石领域的一个突破，它将在未来提供独特的细节。此外，还将详细阐述科学的过程和仪器，为参观者提供科学的思维和工作，以及一堂精彩的比较生物学课。最后，这个项目的科学家是一名女性，希望这对女孩们有启发。这次展览将集中在自然科学博物馆一个特别设计的新翼的恐龙上。化石周围的区域将配备解释性模块，详细阐述化石和相关科学的各个方面。大厅里也会有人动手操作设备。演讲的对象是青少年、家庭，尤其是女孩。在相邻的一组房间里，将有研究科学家在做研究，并可以回答问题。这次展示的意义在于它将古代生物与现代科学思维和过程相结合。它看起来是一个科学展览，但它的目的是激励那些很少有机会去想象和学习的弱势群体的个人。

This CRPA award will provide the audience at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences with a contemporary science story about a 68 million year old dinosaur. In the research behind this exhibit, soft tissue (proteins and DNA) has been isolated and will reflect various characteristics of the animal and its habitat. Scientifically, this is a very exciting venture in that up to this point it was assumed that the soft tissue was lost and could not be derived from fossils. So, this is a modern day break through on the vast field of fossils that will provide unique details in the future. In addition, the scientific processes and instrumentation shall be elaborated to provide the visitor with scientific thinking and work as well as a marvelous lesson in comparative biology. Finally, the scientist in this project is a women and it is hoped that this will be inspirational for girls.The exhibit will be focused on a dinosaur in a new specially design wing of the natural sciences museum. The areas immediately around the fossil will be populated with explanatory modules elaborating various aspects of the fossil and the pertinent science. Some hands on equipment will be in the Hall as well. The presentation is aimed at youth, families, and especially girls. In an adjacent set of rooms, there will be research scientists doing research and available for answering questions. The significance of this presentation is contained in its integration of ancient creatures with modern science thinking and processes. It appears as a science exhibit, but it is intended to be inspirational to individuals who are among underserved groups who are seldom given the opportunity to imagine and learn.