All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
Everything Dinosaur’s work with schools and other educational bodies. Articles, features and stories about dinosaurs and their role in education and educating young people.
Whilst sorting our image archive, we came across a super example of a dinosaur themed teaching activity. In December 2019 Everything Dinosaur visited Greenhill Primary in Bury (Greater Manchester). The teaching team had invited us in to help with the Year 1 term topic. The children had been learning all about dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. One of the areas of learning the teachers wanted to focus upon was improving literacy.
A super example of a dinosaur themed activity helping to support Year 1 literacy. This example was spotted on a visit to Greenhill Primary in Bury. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Dinosaur Themed Teaching Activity
The dedicated and enthusiastic teaching team had prepared a comprehensive term topic. A topic that would appeal to a variety of learning styles. The children were excited and keen to demonstrate their knowledge.
Dinosaurs appeal to children. Many are fascinated by them, and a clever term topic can really engage young minds. If the children are motivated and enthused, they will quickly develop new skills and gain confidence with writing and reading.
The colourful drawings of prehistoric animals posted around the classroom helped to encourage the pupils in their own creative writing.
Less than a week to go now before the start of the TetZooCon 2023 event. Once again, Everything Dinosaur are proud to be involved with this conference and as a sponsor we wish the organisers every success. This is the tenth TetZooCon, the conference is becoming an institution, a must attend event for anyone with an interest in the natural world, the Earth sciences and palaeoart.
Many of Everything Dinosaur’s chums will be attending. Unfortunately, pressures of work have once again prevented us from going, but we will be thinking of everyone next weekend.
The TetZooCon banner for 2023 which has been designed by Darren Naish, one of the conference organisers.
Picture credit: Darren Naish
TetZooCon 2023
TetZooCon 2023 will be held at Bush House, King’s College, London, on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd December 2023, with an evening reception on Friday December 1st and a fieldtrip on Monday 4th December. For the first time ever, the TetZooCon will consist of parallel sessions throughout.
Several of the sessions are dedicated to marine reptile research. Attendees will get the chance to meet “Flip” the world’s most scientifically accurate swimming plesiosaur. Dr Dean Lomax will be delivering a presentation covering the latest research into the “Rutland Sea Dragon”. Not to be outdone, Emily Swaby will be discussing Yorkshire’s very own giant marine reptile – Temnodontosaurus crassimanus.
Dr Dean Lomax working on the skull of the Rutland ichthyosaur, the largest and most complete ichthyosaur fossil ever found in the UK. Picture credit: Matthew Power.
Palaeoart in Perspective
The very talented Luis Rey will lead a panel discussion on the Past and Future of Palaeoart. Co-host Darren Naish will provide an insight into the television series “Prehistoric Planet” and expect living archosaurs such as corvids and cassowaries to enter the debate.
On Sunday (December 3rd), Nigel Marven will look back on his adventures filming dinosaurs and other reptiles. In addition, during Sunday lunch time there will be a special screening of the film “The Lost World” from 1925.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We wish we could attend next weekend. Bush House at King’s College, London is going to be buzzing. Our congratulations to Darren Naish and John Conway for all their hard work organising such an exciting event.”
Engineering students visit Everything Dinosaur. As part of the company’s work in the community, Everything Dinosaur was visited by Tom and Bolaji, two final year engineering students at Liverpool John Moores University. Tom and Bolaji are currently working on a practical project that focuses on using state-of-the-art software and engineering skills. The project forms part of their final year studies.
Sue from Everything Dinosaur with engineering students Tom and Bolaji from Liverpool John Moores University. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Students Visit Everything Dinosaur
We hope that Tom and Bolaji found the visit to our offices and warehouse illuminating. Everything Dinosaur team members have worked on a number of student projects. Recently, we were invited to talk to students at Manchester Metropolitan University. We have been engaged in several outreach projects, it is all about giving something back to the wider community and helping to motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“It was wonderful to meet the two students. Their energy, enthusiasm and approach to business problems was refreshing. Tom and Bolaji definitely have a “can do” attitude. It was great to be able to exchange ideas and consider problems in our industry from a different perspective.”
Everything Dinosaur wishes them every success with their engineering project and in their careers.
The Woolly Mammoth could return by 2028 according to an article published in a UK tabloid paper. The sensational headline claims that the extinct prehistoric elephant could be resurrected. Advances in genetic engineering could mean that extinct creatures could be coming back.
A tabloid newspaper on Saturday 18th November was predicting the return of the Woolly Mammoth by 2028. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Woolly Mammoth De-extinction
Everything Dinosaur has featured several stories about de-extinction on this blog. One of the most recent concerned genetic research to resurrect the Thylacine, otherwise known as the Tasmanian Tiger. As a marsupial the significant problem of having to find a surrogate mother can be bypassed.
There would be many additional barriers to the genetic engineering of a viable Woolly Mammoth embryo. It is true that astonishing and rapid developments in genetic engineering could in theory bring back long extinct creatures. The resurrection would be achieved through the manipulation of an organism’s genome. This would result in the creation of a population of animals that had characteristics of animals that have died out. We are sure the article would have mentioned dinosaurs, but a “Jurassic Park”, is not going to be created anytime soon.
In 2015, Everything Dinosaur reviewed a book which provided a guide to cloning a Mammoth.
The book was written by Beth Shapiro, an Associate Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. It looked at the selection criteria for a de-extinction candidate species. She explained the joys and perils of hunting for Woolly Mammoth fossils and highlighted some of the scientific obstacles associated with cloning. There are ethical and moral considerations too. Should we bring back and animal that went extinct thousands of years ago, or perhaps focus on conserving extant fauna and flora.
The introduction of new Woolly Mammoth models helped cement this Ice Age animal in our top ten. Could genetic engineering developments lead to the re-introduction of the Mammoth? Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows Papo Mammuthus primigenius figures, spotted at a trade show a few years ago. The baby Woolly Mammoth model has been out of production for some time, but the juvenile and adult figures are still available.
Whatever the advantages and disadvantages of this aspect of genetic engineering, we did not expect to see a tabloid newspaper covering this research on the front page. We are not sure about the headline “lovable boffins…”.
We look forward to reading about the re-introduction of prehistoric elephants in 2028.
A colourful and educational dinosaur display spotted in a Reception classroom has been praised by Everything Dinosaur. On a visit to Micklehurst All Saints Church Primary (Ashton-under-Lyne), team members spotted the carefully crafted children’s display.
A colourful dinosaur display spotted in a Reception classroom. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The Dinosaur Display
The teaching team had been focusing on food chains. They had used the dinosaur term topic to help the children to understand what foods animals eat. The Reception class were keen to demonstrate their knowledge. The children eagerly pointed out which dinosaurs ate meat and which ones ate plants.
As part of the varied term topic, the children had been making replicas of fossils. Some of these fossil replicas were on display in the classroom.
Fossil replicas that have been painted in bronze, silver or gold as part of the dinosaur display. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Praising the Children and the Teaching Team
The fossil replicas had been created by pressing dinosaur models into salt dough. These objects had been painted a variety of metallic colours. The children’s artworks certainly made a colourful dinosaur display in the classroom.
We tested the children’s understanding of food chains. Some of the more capable learners were happy to identify which dinosaurs may have been omnivorous.
A spokesperson from the UK-based mail order company commented:
“We remember visiting the school back in March 2019. At the time we remarked on the beautiful school displays. The children had enjoyed their prehistoric animal themed term topic. They were eager to highlight which parts of the dinosaur display that they had personally contributed to.”
Whilst searching for an image in the Everything Dinosaur database, we came across a photograph of a counting with dinosaurs exercise. The picture had been taken on a visit to Whirley Primary in Cheshire back in 2019. The teaching team had launched an imaginative dinosaur-themed term topic. Everything Dinosaur team members were invited into the school to explain all about dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs and fossils help young children with numbers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Counting with Dinosaurs
The reception class had been struggling with addition and subtraction. The teaching team developed some simple prehistoric-animal themed counting exercises to help the children to become more confident. After our visit, we supplied the school with some additional, free teaching resources.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“We supplied the school with some additional teaching materials. Lesson plans and supporting materials to assist with the scheme of work were emailed. It is always a pleasure to help schools. We do our best to assist the teaching teams.”
The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival (2024) is scheduled to take place over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of June. Everything Dinosaur has received an official media pack providing further details about this exciting event. A spokesperson for the UK-based mail order company also confirmed that the preceding Friday would be allocated for schools and students.
Everything Dinosaur has received the media pack for the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival 2024. This exciting event is scheduled for the weekend of 8th and 9th of June 2024. The Friday (7th June), will be reserved as a schools/students day.
The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival (2024)
The festival is organised by the Lyme Regis Museum with the support and assistance of key partners. These partners include the Charmouth Heritage Centre and the London Natural History Museum. The allocated venues are the Lister Gardens, the Jubilee Pavilion, the Marine Theatre and the Lyme Regis Museum. Aimed at families especially young children, there will be no entry fees.
Everything Dinosaur was involved in the inaugural event and has participated subsequently. Unfortunately, other commitments prevent team members from attending in 2024.
Prehistoric animal drawing fun at the Lyme Regis fossil festival. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
The photograph (above) was taken around 2016 during one of Everything Dinosaur’s visits to the festival. We provide lots of free drawing materials to mums and dads of budding young palaeontologists.
The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is one this country’s leading palaeontological events. It brings together eminent scientists as well as top geological and palaeontological organisations. The two-day event celebrates the rich fossil heritage of the “Jurassic Coast”.
There are lots of free, family-orientated activities including shows, talks, fossil hunting walks, exhibitions and interactive displays. The organisers predict that there will be over 10,000 visitors to the Dorset town over the weekend of 8th/9th June 2024.
The new for 2020 CollectA Belemnite model. Visitors to the festival can expect to see lots of belemnites and ammonites. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows the CollectA prehistoric life belemnite model. CollectA have introduced a range of figures representing iconic animals from the fossil record.
Team members at Everything Dinosaur wish the organisers every success with their endeavours. Hopefully, the weather will behave, and it will be warm and dry over that weekend.
A team member from Everything Dinosaur was invited to address final year digital marketing students at Manchester Metropolitan University. Mike of Everything Dinosaur had received some training from the University, taking part in a “Developing Innovation” programme. As a result of his connections to the University he was invited to present to the digital marketing students. The students are looking at Everything Dinosaur’s digital footprint and Google Analytics as part of their course. The aim is to provide them with a real business to study.
Everything Dinosaur team member Mike got asked lots of questions by the digital marketing students. Picture credit: Alexandra Severn (MMU).
Everything Dinosaur Fielding Questions
Working with their teacher, Alexandra Severn (Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing Communications and Programme Leader), the students had compiled an extensive list of questions. The questions ranged from asking about our website, customer profiling and social media activities to enquiring about our favourite fossils. Fortunately, a fossil had been brought along. It is not very often a Woolly Rhinoceros dorsal vertebra takes part in a business school lecture.
One student asked:
“What was our favourite dinosaur?”
Ryan enquired:
“How sustainable is your operation? Do you consider the environmental impact at each stage of your operation?”
Amin wanted to know how the dinosaur models are made and are they made in a safe environment?
We hope the answers we provided were informative and helped the students to gain a better understanding of the business world. It was also a pleasure to be able to discuss some of the ways in which Everything Dinosaur has reduced its carbon footprint. In addition, our use of recycled cardboard and the replacement of compostable starch chips rather than using foam were highlighted.
Mike of Everything Dinosaur addressing the final year digital marketing students at Manchester Metropolitan University. Picture credit: Alexandra Severn (MMU).
Commenting on the experience, Mike stated:
“It is nice to be able to give something back to the next generation. They had compiled a challenging set of questions, and I did my best to answer them all. It was a pretty intense session, but I got the chance to talk to some of the students afterwards and they wanted to have their photograph taken with the Woolly Rhino fossil.”
Visit the award-winning and user-friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
A team member from Everything Dinosaur marvelled at a display featuring a pair of Homo erectus model skulls on display at a school. A visit to Painsley Catholic College back in 2018, provided us with the opportunity to photograph the clay models. The science and art departments had collaborated to create a beautiful exhibit that documented human evolution. Many different hominin species were illustrated. Our personal favourites were the pair of Homo erectus skulls.
The teachers at Painsley Catholic College had built a display of ancient hominins using replicas of stone tools and carefully constructed clay skulls. The image shows a pair of Homo erectus skulls. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur praised the teaching staff at the time for creating such an informative display.
In 2015, Everything Dinosaur team members visited Wren’s Nest. This is a nature reserve and SSSI (Special Site of Scientific Interest). The exposed strata dates from the Silurian and it is full of fossils including the occasional trilobite. Whilst exploring this location, a photograph was taken of a trilobite tribute. A plaque honouring the “Dudley bug” (Calymene blumenbachii).
A trilobite plaque at the Wren’s nest SSSI (Dudley, West Midlands). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Remembering the Trilobite
The Trilobita were remarkably abundant and diverse during the Palaeozoic. These ancient marine arthropods originated in the Cambrian. The last of their kind are believed to have become extinct at the end of the Permian.
The abundant fossils to be found at the Wren’s Nest nature reserve represent life on a Silurian reef approximately 420 million years ago. Team members have visited Wren’s Nest several times. This location was designated Britain’s first National Nature Reserve for geology (1956).
The motif is an inscription it reads:
“Scour the ground for geological litter my feet drenched in an ancient sea.”
Everything Dinosaur team members have prepared some images of CollectA invertebrate models including the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular trilobite model (Redlichia rex). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows a CollectA trilobite model.
Over 700 different types of fossil are known from Wren’s Nest. Over eighty are unique to this location and found nowhere else on the planet.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“Wren’s Nest is a geological gem. We recommend a visit, especially in the early summer months prior to the school holidays. In the height of summer this location can get extremely busy and there is limited nearby parking”
