Create Your Own Mesozoic Museum

Abstract:: This OLogy activity offers kids a fun way to show off their dinosaur knowledge. The activity begins by telling kids to pick a topic and title for their Mesozoic Museum, and provides a book list to help them research their selection. It then provides a list of materials and directions for setting up an exhibit that includes explanatory caption cards. Kids are urged to invite friends and family to the Mesozoic Museum, soliciting feedback and testing how well their exhibit communicated knowledge. As inspiration, the activity also includes a pictorial look at the construction of a dinosaur exhibit at the AMNH.

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Create a Coral Reef

Abstract:: In this hands-on OLogy activity, kids learn about coral reefs by building a diorama that has models of different types of coral and other sea creatures. The activity opens with Amy O'Donnell, an educator at the AMNH, introducing kids to coral polyps and reefs. The illustrated, step-by-step directions show kids how to construct a diorama that contains models of a brain coral, a sea fan, a sponge, and sea anemones. It also includes Cool Coral Facts, a look at museum dioramas, and tips for "Taking Your Diorama to the Next Level."

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Abstract:: This Web site showcases the renowned habitat group dioramas that are located in AMNH's halls. It includes the following resources. “Virtual Tours”: Four 360-degree panoramas with interactive components (Alaska Brown Bear Diorama, Bison and Pronghorn Diorama, Upper Nile Region Diorama, Cuthbert Rookery Diorama). “Videos” Sixteen clips available for broadband or 56k viewing Diorama Gallery. A collection of 50 high-quality images from the museum's dioramas Behind the Scenes. An overview of the history and making of dioramas that includes an audio clip, article, and archival photos. “Artists” A look at the creative team, which includes background artists, foreground artists, and taxidermists Diorama Book. An overview of the recently published Windows on Nature, which is available in hardcover and paperback editions. “Downloads” Six computer wallpaper images, each available in 800x600, 1024x768, and 1280x1024 screen resolutions.

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Abstract:: This online activity is part of the museum's Online Field Journal Web site, where young children can explore the wonders of nature with the help of an adult. Here, they can create a replica of one of three museum dioramas. On the opening page, the three featured dioramas are Wetlands: A Wading Bird Rookery; Desert, A Giant Cactus Forest, and Forest: The Olympic Rain Forest. On the first page of each diorama activity, there is a full-color image of the diorama, plus links to printable pages with the diorama's background image and pieces. A separate instructions page is included that has kid-friendly step-by-step directions.