We discovered Louis R. Purnell, the First African American Paleontologist per the Smithsonian in my post January 16, 2021 “Fossils”. His amazing career began as a Tuskegee Airman and his interest in Geology & Paleontology led him on a path to be the First African American Curator of the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum in 1980. See the above post for more information and links to the Smithsonian article as well as to History of the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII.
Making History & Inspiring the Future History Makers, Dr. Lisa White a Micropaleontologic (studies fossils at a microscopic level). Currently Assistant Director Education & Outreach at the University of California Museum of Paleontology. After 22 years at San Francisco State University. Where she held positions of Professor of Geosciences & Associate Dean of the College of Science & Engineering. Dr. Lisa White taught undergraduate classes in paleontology, historic geology, oceanography and guided research projects with graduate students in Miocene diatoms (single celled alga) of the Monterey Formation of California and fossil cold seep assemblages (sorry, I looked it up and can’t come up with a simple definition. I’m not sure I even understood what I read. We’ll just have to ask Dr. White.) in the Franciscan Complex. She continues to Reach Out to the Community with Programs to Inspire Kids with Science. For more information on Dr. Lisa White and recent published articles visit https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/people/lisa-white/
Sharing History & Encouraging Youth, David Wilcots a Geologists, Paleontologist & Artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. David has over 20 years experience working as an Environmental Geologist and over 30 years experience collecting Fossils. David was able to spend 4 days on the excavation site in Northeast Montana with paleontologist Gregory Wilson on the Tufts – Love Tyrannosaurus Rex which is now on display at the Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington. This specimen is named after the Burke Museum Volunteers that discovered it Jason Love & Luke Tufts. David’s Favorite Dinosaur – Kentrosaurus! Visit David’s website www.dinosaursfa.com which he established in 2014 to make Paleontology available to young people. One of his primary goals is to demonstrate that Paleontology is more than Dinosaurs. His website features Girls & Boys of All Colors in an Inclusive Environment Working in the Field, to allow All Viewers to see Themselves in this Environment.
The Field Museum of Chicago’s first African American Taxidermist was Carl Cotton (1918 – 1971) from 1947 until 1971. Taxidermists prepare animal skins for display. They create the internal structures from various materials to attach the skins. Insects are the only animal that every part is preserved. Plants & Fish and some other animals are cast vs. using the actual plant or skin of the animal. Carl’s biggest impact was creating the Birds of the Nile Marsh Diorama. Twenty-five percent of the Birds in the Museums Exhibits were prepared by Carl Cotton!
A Wonderful article on Carl Cotton by Tori Lee, Exhibitions Developer check it out https://www.fieldmuseum.org/blog/finding-carl-cotton
A Great Video by the Museum on Taxidermy & Carl Cotton’s work there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCQnW2rwFo&ab_channel=FieldMuseum&utm_source=Field+Museum+Member+News&utm_campaign=69d47ac523-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_06_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f754ea234f-69d47ac523-112533966&mc_cid=69d47ac523&mc_eid=b0ac8eae08
www.Readingtokids.org has a number of eBooks and YouTube videos with Authors Reading their Books. Craft ideas are demonstrated online as well!
The February Zoom Reading to Kids Events was a Great Success! Even with the 3 day weekend 291 Kids, 91 Volunteers and 33 Teachers & Staff enjoyed the books about People from Around the World. At MacArthur Park 27 second & third graders participated in the Zoom Class I volunteer!
We read “I am Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Brad Meltzer. A Wonderful book that had the kids asking lots of questions and expressing great opinions. Other featured Books:
“Same, Same But Different” by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (Kindergarten – Wonderful Message)
“I am Helen Keller” by Brad Meltzer (1st Grade – another Great Story)
“Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X” by IIyasah Shabazz (3rd Grade – Excellent History)
“Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story” by Reem Faruqi (4th Grade – another Great Message)
“A Long Walk to Water”, by Linda Sue Park (5th Grade – Another Favorite of Mine Incredible Journey)
Check out Your Library for these books. Many Libraries offer curbside pickup and some of these books are available as eBooks or Audio Books. We All look Forward to when We can Safely resume the In-Person Events (below May 11, 2019). If You are looking for a Non-profit to Support www.readingtokids.org is a Wonderful Choice!
Consider Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” with host Emily Graslie and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Many Libraries are offering “Curbside Pick-up. If you prefer the hardcopy, “Curbside Pick-up may be the option for you.
My First Book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” is Available as an eBook on Kindle through Amazon.com
Only $3.99!
Included are two photos of Prehistoric Pals converted to black & white line drawings for You to express Your Color Imagination! Search online for print options on Your device. Print Screen, Cropping & Printing are available on many smart phones. Your smart phone may even allow You to email Your Print Screen to Yourself allowing even more options before printing. Kindle has an app for smart phones!
I would love to see Your Color Visions for Dominic & Raphael! Use crayons, pencils, pens, or watercolors! Attach feathers, glitter whatever brings them to life for You. Send a picture of Your Colorized Imaginations to: paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com It could be in a future post!
I will keep You posted with information on my Next eBook “The Shy Triceratops”. I hope to have Paperback versions available later in 2021.
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to Wear Masks and Social Distance. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, comment below or email:
Thank you!