By Mike|2024-01-20T12:57:18+00:00March 28th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching, Key Stage 3/4|Comments Off on Rare Fossil Skull Reveals Origin of Modern Birds
“Wonderchicken” Fossil Reveals Origin of Modern Birds
The oldest fossil of a modern bird yet found, dating from the very end of the Cretaceous, has been identified by an international team of palaeontologists led by researchers from the University of Cambridge. Sophisticated CT scans (computerised tomography), of a limestone rock, not much bigger than a pack of cards, revealed the exquisitely preserved fossil skull. Fragments of bone exposed on the rock’s surface suggested that there were more bones buried deep in the rock, but the scientists were not expecting to find the near perfect fossilised skull of a modern bird (neornithine), once the CT scans had been completed.
Fossil Skull Study
The bird has been nicknamed “wonderchicken” as its skull shows characteristics found in modern ducks and chickens. This suggests it is close to the last common ancestor of these types of birds.
An Early Bird in the Hand – Confuciusornis Model
“A bird in the hand”, the Confuciusornis model from PNSO. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The picture (above) shows a PNSO early bird model (Confuciusornis).
The fossil comes from a limestone quarry on the Netherlands-Belgium border, making it the first modern bird from the age of dinosaurs to have been found in the Northern Hemisphere.
Named Asteriornis maastrichtensis, this quail-sized bird (to which it is distantly related), exhibits a previously undocumented combination of galliform-like (landfowl) and anseriform-like (waterfowl) anatomical traits. Its presence alongside a previously reported Ichthyornis-like bird from the same quarry provides direct evidence of the co-occurrence of crown birds and avialan stem birds.
Small Size Could Have Saved Modern Birds from Extinction
Asteriornis was quite small, certainly much smaller than the pterosaurs that it shared the skies with. The fossil has been dated to 66.8-66.7 million years ago, a few hundred thousand years before the dinosaurs and lots of other animals including many types of bird, died out.
The authors of the scientific paper (published in the journal Nature), speculate that as it was small and it lived by the sea, this way of life, fitting a particular niche in the Late Cretaceous ecosystem, may have helped the ancestors of today’s birds to survive the end-Cretaceous mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.
By Mike|2024-01-20T12:40:13+00:00March 26th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Spotting a Super Diplodocus on Display
A Wild Safari Prehistoric World Diplodocus Dinosaur Model Spotted at an Exhibition
Whilst working at a library supporting the “Dippy the Diplodocus” nationwide tour, an eagle-eyed Everything Dinosaur team member spotted a Wild Safari Prehistoric World Diplodocus dinosaur model that was being used to help demonstrate what scientists think Diplodocus looked like when it roamed the Late Jurassic of western North America.
The Wild Safari Prehistoric World Diplodocus Dinosaur Model
Safari Ltd will introduced a counter shaded Diplodocus model in 2017.
The Natural History Museum’s famous cast of this famous sauropod used to grace Hintze Hall at the Museum. In January 2017, the skeleton was dismantled (all 292 bones of it) to make space for a new Blue Whale exhibit “Hope”. This permitted the replica to go on a nationwide tour of the UK and Rochdale is just one of eight venues selected for this exhibition. To date, over 100,000 people have visited the skeleton in Rochdale. As well as the twenty-metre long replica itself, an exciting programme of events has been put together to help to inspire the next generation of young scientists.
A Famous Diplodocus
Everything Dinosaur staff members have been providing expertise and assistance and have enjoyed helping to organise the family-themed science activities.
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur, in between delivering fossil hunting workshops for the Borough Council as part of a series of outreach activities commented:
“The aim of this tour and the exhibition programme is to help inspire and enthuse the next generation of scientists. The Diplodocus has also done a great deal to attract visitors to the area and to boost the local economy. It is wonderful to see such nationally-important exhibits like “Dippy the Diplodocus” visiting the northwest of England”.
“Dippy the Diplodocus” can be seen at the Number One Riverside, Rochdale venue until June 28th (2020), with numerous other dinosaur themed events taking place in the Rochdale area for the duration of the exhibition.
Rochdale Borough Council has been able to source a wide range of dinosaur and prehistoric animal themed items to help support this exhibition. Together with Everything Dinosaur team members the Council has been planning for the arrival of the famous sauropod for more than a year. All the hard work has certainly paid off with over 100,000 visitors recorded to date.
Dear Customers and Friends of Everything Dinosaur,
We are living in unprecedented times. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has global implications, we would once again, like to convey our thoughts and sympathies to all those people who have been affected by this virus.
An Update from Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur would like to extend our well wishes to each and every one of our customers and friends. We want to pass on our thoughts and sympathies to all those people who have been affected by this outbreak. This is a very difficult time for all of us. We would like to briefly update you on the current situation at our company.
We are far from extinct! Whilst we are constantly reviewing advice received from the UK Government, the Chamber of Commerce and our Dept of Trade and Industry account manager, for the time being at least, our mail order business is operating as normal.
Business as Usual for Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur has put in place a number of measures that means the company can operate the mail order business.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Customers Can Still Place Orders!
We are still operating! The plans we put in place weeks ago have put us in a reasonable position when it comes to our mail order business. Whilst we will always heed the advice of the Government and the Chamber of Commerce, we are still able to operate our mail order business. Customers can still place orders; we are still despatching and our customers are receiving their parcels.
We don’t have a crystal ball, but because we have lots of contacts in China and elsewhere in the world, team members at Everything Dinosaur quickly became aware of the potential implications if the disease spread outside of Hubei Province (China). Team members started to put plans in place back in January (2020), a rolling set of measures to support our staff, our customers, our suppliers and our local community.
Everything Dinosaur Putting Plans In Place to Manage in Difficult Times
Everything Dinosaur working hard to stay on top of the situation. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur Preparations and Plans
The United Kingdom and much of the world, may now be in lockdown. Everything Dinosaur began its preparations on a “just in case scenario” ten weeks ago.
These preparations included:
Cutting back on the amount of teaching work undertaken to permit more management time dedicated towards the mail order business.
Using stocks (purchased 2018 for outreach science programmes) of alcohol based hand sanitisers (some of which have already been donated to vulnerable members of the local community).
Deliberately building up stock of dinosaur models, figures and other items and ensuring that these could be packed and despatched from homes if needed.
Building up quantities of packaging supplies to help support the mail order operations.
Implementing stringent cleanliness regimes and social distancing.
Taking all essential steps to ensure the safety and protection of all Everything Dinosaur team members.
Switching shipment delivery addresses to permit stock to remain accessible to Everything Dinosaur team members.
Liaising closely with factories in order to put in place contingency plans to ensure continuity of stock.
Suspension of all but essential travel, suspension of all face-to-face meetings.
Postponement of outreach science programmes and dinosaur themed workshops.
In the last three weeks we have received a total of eighteen FEEFO reviews all of them rated Everything Dinosaur as a 5-star service provider.
We are still continuing to maintain the very highest levels of customer service.
Helping Out at Home
Lots of our customers have been in touch, with many of our customers having to stay at home, they have been looking for products and projects to help get them through these uncertain times. We are should not overlook the mental health of those persons advised to self-isolate. A hobby like dinosaur model collecting, model making, replica painting, building dioramas and so forth can play a significant part in helping with well-being. We are also aware of the large numbers of children currently at home.
Keeping Children Occupied – Dinosaurs for Creative, Imaginative Play
Children playing with dinosaur and prehistoric animal models.
Free Resources, Downloads, Fact Sheets, Games and Teaching Materials
It has always been our philosophy to support teachers, teaching assistants and home educators. It is our belief that play is an essential part of childhood and the young people learn more whilst they are having fun. A new dinosaur is named and described every two weeks or so. There is always plenty to talk about when it comes to prehistoric animals. In the light of the current situation, our staff acknowledge that some of our customers have additional needs and we have rolled out a programme of extra support and assistance.
Ensuring that everyone, not just schools have access to our free, educational downloads: General Teaching Resources.
Reception, nursery and Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 3-6) dinosaur themed teaching resources to download: Early Years Downloads.
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (ages 6 to 12) dinosaur and fossil themed teaching resources to download: Key Stage 1 and 2 Downloads.
Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 (ages 12 to 16) dinosaur and fossil themed teaching resources to download: Key Stage 3 and 4 Downloads.
The Everything Dinosaur website, lots of helpful dinosaur themed toys and gifts: Everything Dinosaur.
In addition, there is this blog site, with over 4, 750 articles and features about prehistoric animals and fossil discoveries.
Over the last ten days, Everything Dinosaur has initiated a programme of sending out every day to a lucky customer a free Mojo Fun golden model.
Support for our customers with additional needs have been rolled out including surprise free gifts, learning materials and free downloads.
Sending out personalised projects and providing one-to-one support for parents of children/young people with an interest in fossils and dinosaurs.
Supplying free puzzles, games, top trumps, crosswords as part of a programme to help support families in lockdown.
Supporting Families
Everything Dinosaur Has Launched a Programme of Supporting Families at Home
Everything Dinosaur providing lots of free resources to support families.Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Everything Dinosaur remains committed to doing all it can to help in the current difficult situation. For the time being, we are able to operate our mail order business with the minimum of disruption. Everything Dinosaur is far from extinct!
Everything Dinosaur Continuing to Support Schools and Home Educators
At this time of uncertainty due to the coronavirus outbreak, Everything Dinosaur team members want to let you know how we are responding to the recent announcement about school closures. Our hearts go out to all those affected globally by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. We are doing all we can to assist the education sector. Everything Dinosaur is currently operating as normal and we intend to provide regular updates in what is a very fluid situation. We are working very hard to limit the disruption to schools, nurseries and other academic bodies.
Everything Dinosaur Helpinig to Support the Education Sector
Everything Dinosaur has released the following statement:
Everything Dinosaur Team Members Helping to Support the Education Sector and Home Schooling
Team members working hard to support the educational sector and home schooling at this difficult time (coronavirus outbreak 2020).Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The website links to gain access to our free teaching resources and other educational materials:
In addition, this blog site has posted up news stories, information about fossils, features about dinosaurs, evolution, natural selection, new theories and articles on other science related subject areas, every day since May 2007. This is a resource that has over 4,750 articles, which are all free to access, helping to provide additional materials for teachers, teaching assistants, academics and home schoolers.
Furthermore, our hard-working and enthusiastic staff handle numerous email enquiries each day, providing advice, free prehistoric animal fact sheets and other resources.
Team members are working extremely hard to help support universities, colleges, nurseries, other academic bodies and home educators. We continue to provide free of charge, a wide range of fossil and dinosaur themed teaching resources and learning materials.
By Mike|2024-01-19T07:27:28+00:00March 19th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Everything Dinosaur Continues to Offer Vital Support to Schools
Everything Dinosaur Supports Schools and Home Educators
At Everything Dinosaur, the interests of our customers, our people and our communities are at the centre of everything we do and this is particularly important during these challenging times. Our hearts go out to those affected globally by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We want to let you know that you remain our top priority and we are doing all we can to assist schools, universities, nurseries and home educators.
In the light of the recent announcement with regards to school closures, the UK-based mail order company has released the following statement:
Everything Dinosaur Helping to Support Education and Home Schooling
Everything Dinosaur team members working hard to support the educational sector and home schooling at this difficult time (coronavirus outbreak 2020). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Furthermore, our dedicated staff handle dozens of email enquiries every day, providing advice, free prehistoric animal fact sheets and other resources.
In China, there is a saying “may you live in interesting times”. These are certainly “interesting times”. The company is doing all it can to help support schools, other academic bodies and home educators. We are currently operating as normal and will update you regularly with any changes. We are all working together to help limit the disruption to our customers and to still provide our excellent award-winning service.
Everything Dinosaur is working extremely hard to help support schools, colleges, universities, nurseries, other academic bodies and home educators. We continue to provide free of charge, a wide range of fossil and dinosaur themed teaching resources and learning materials.
By Mike|2024-01-17T15:22:05+00:00March 17th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Beautiful Prehistoric Animal Drawings Help to Inspire Young Artists
Prehistoric Animal Drawings Help to Inspire Young Artists
Everything Dinosaur team members have been asked to support the science outreach activities being organised by Rochdale Borough Council as the Natural History Museum’s “Dippy the Diplodocus” exhibition arrives in the northwest of England. The Diplodocus exhibit, donated to the London Natural History Museum in 1905, is currently undergoing a nationwide tour. Staff from Everything Dinosaur have been asked to put together a series of fun, fossil themed workshops in various parts of the northwest.
Prehistoric Animal Drawings
Whilst visiting a library, a team member spotted some very familiar prehistoric animal figures helping to promote a drawing competition aimed at eager, enthusiastic young palaeontologists.
Prehistoric Animal Model Help to Inspire Dinosaur Drawings
The Kelenken in all its glory Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The CollectA Kelenken (Prehistoric Animal Drawing)
A colourful drawing of large, flightless bird Kelenken is highlighted (above). In the library team members spotted a Liopleurodon (marine reptile), from the CollectA Prehistoric Life range of figures. A model on the right of the Liopleurodon was a replica of an Iguanodon, also from the CollectA range. Both these models represent long extinct creatures, fossils of which have been found in the British Isles.
A team member from Everything Dinosaur, in a break between delivering dinosaur and fossil themed workshops commented:
“It has been great to meet so many young dinosaur fans. The Diplodocus event has attracted over a hundred thousand visitors to the area. This has provided a real boost to the local economy. We have seen a number of the entries in the dinosaur drawing competition and we have been most impressed with the illustrations and artwork.”
By Mike|2024-01-19T06:42:48+00:00March 12th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching, Key Stage 3/4|Comments Off on Remarkable Tiny Dinosaur Discovery Coincides with British Science Week
Remarkable Tiny Dinosaur Discovery Coincides with British Science Week
Everything Dinosaur marks British Science Week 2020 by reporting on the remarkable discovery of a tiny fossilised skull preserved in amber from northern Myanmar (Burma). The fossil skull, which measures just 14 millimetres long represents a new species within the clade Dinosauria. It has been named Oculudentavis khaungraae it probably weighed about as much as the smallest living bird, the Bee Hummingbird. Scientists have estimated that it was around 8-10 centimetres long. This makes Oculudentavis the smallest dinosaur known to science.
The Tiny Skull of the Newly Described Oculudentavis khaungraae Preserved in Amber from Myanmar
Oculudentavis khaungraae computer generated image of the skull (left lateral view).
Picture credit: Lida Xing et al
Oculudentavis khaungraae
Team members at Everything Dinosaur have compared Oculudentavis to Tyrannosaurus rex (a distant relative of this tiny creature). They estimate that an adult Tyrannosaurus rex weighed around 3.5 million times heavier. Ironically, the tiny teeth in the jaw of Oculudentavis suggest that just like T. rex it was a predator. It probably hunted insects. The fossil is estimated to be around 99 million years old.
The fossil discovery represents the smallest member of the Mesozoic Dinosauria clade known to science and it demonstrates the importance of amber as a means of permitting scientists to gain an insight into the ecology of an ancient habitat thanks to the preservation of small animals and other material in fossilised tree resin.
Specimens preserved in amber are emerging as an exceptional way to study very small animals that once lived alongside the generally much larger pterosaurs and dinosaurs.
What an amazing fossil discovery, the publication of the scientific paper having coincided with British Science Week.
Note
The conclusions of the scientific paper have been challenged, this fossil might represent the preserved remains of a lizard.
By Mike|2024-05-06T09:23:23+01:00March 10th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Supporting the Amazing “Dippy on Tour”
Everything Dinosaur Supporting “Dippy on Tour”
As part of the Natural History Museum of London’s nationwide tour of the Diplodocus dinosaur replica “Dippy on Tour”, Everything Dinosaur has been asked to provide a number of dinosaur and fossil themed outreach activities to help support the public’s perception of science. During March (2020), team members will be visiting several locations in the north-west of England providing dinosaur and fossil themed workshops aimed at families.
Everything Dinosaur’s Outreach Activities Supporting a Nationwide Dinosaur Tour
Everything Dinosaur’s dinosaur and fossil theme workshops planned for the “Dippy on Tour” exhibition. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
These fun and lively events sold out a long time ago. Everything Dinosaur’s programme includes visiting numerous libraries and other public buildings and delivering educational and fun, family orientated dinosaur and fossil themed workshops.
A spokesperson for the company said:
“We are looking forward to the workshops and we are going to be very busy tackling all the questions about dinosaurs that we are going to be asked. Our plan is to give away a few fossils too.”
The picture (above) depicts a Natural History Museum Diplodocus replica. These figures are available through Everything Dinosaur and help support the “Dippy on Tour” programme.
By Mike|2024-01-17T14:12:07+00:00March 8th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on Celebrating the Important Role of Women in Science on International Women’s Day 2020
Celebrating the Role of Women in Science on International Women’s Day
Today, (March 8th 2020), is International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is an annual event, which has its origins in the early part of the 20th century. This day provides us with an opportunity to highlight the enormous contribution to science and scientific enquiry made by women.
Everything Dinosaur took a photo of an appropriate poster on display at a school. The school was Ilderton Primary. Everything Dinosaur team members were visiting the school to conduct a fossil workshop. The poster highlighted the role of women in science.
Recognising and Celebrating the Contribution of Women in Science
Celebrating the role of women in science. A poster celebrating the role of women in science. The photograph was taken on a visit to Ilderton Primary. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
On a visit to a school in London (Ilderton Primary), to deliver a series of dinosaur and fossil themed workshops, an Everything Dinosaur team member spotted a wonderful display highlighting the role of women in science.
It is great to see women in science celebrated in this way, we hope that the display helps to motivate and enthuse the next generation of women scientists.
The user-friendly and award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
By Mike|2024-01-17T07:49:26+00:00February 14th, 2020|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on New Research Suggests Climate Change Could Adversely Affect Amphibians and Reptiles
New Research Suggests Climate Change Could Adversely Affect Amphibians and Reptiles
Researchers from Tel Aviv University (Israel) and Queen’s University Belfast have carried out one of the most comprehensive studies to date to better understand what affects life expectancy among all living vertebrates in the world. The study’s conclusions not only challenge a long-accepted theory about the lifespan of organisms, but also provide a new perspective on climate change – that global warming could have a huge impact on the life expectancy among cold-blooded animals such as reptiles and amphibians.
Studying Reptiles and Amphibians
With many schools having ponds in their grounds and wildlife areas, it is important to emphasise how crucial these habitats are for many animals, particularly frogs, toads and newts as the spawning season gets underway.
Forty-one Percent of All Amphibian Species Assessed to Date* Are Threatened with Extinction
Cold-blooded animals such as frogs may be exceptionally vulnerable to climate change.
Picture credit: Queen’s University Belfast
* International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Data.
The “Rate of Living” Theory
Some animals with backbones, such as some species of frog, can live for less than a year. Whilst other animals such as elephants and turtles can live for a very long time. The “rate of living” theory has long been accepted as an explanation as to why organisms age. According to this theory, the faster the metabolic rate the shorter the lifespan.
The scientists from Queen’s University Belfast and Tel Aviv University looked at data from over 4,100 land vertebrate species from across the planet to test the prevailing “rate of living” theory. They found that ‘rate of living’ does not affect aging rates, rejecting the previously accepted link between metabolism and lifespan.
Identifying Extinction Factors for Reptiles and Amphibians
The study, published today (Friday 14 February), in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography, found that rates of aging in cold-blooded organisms including amphibians and reptiles are linked to high temperatures. These findings led the scientists to propose an alternative hypothesis: the hotter the environment is, the faster the rate of living that in turn leads to more accelerated aging and a shorter lifespan. Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso, co-author and Lecturer in Evolution & Macroecology at the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, explained:
“Our findings can have critical implications for our understanding of factors that contribute to extinctions, especially in modern times when we are facing a worldwide decline of biodiversity, with cold-blooded animals being particularly endangered. Now we know that the life-expectancy of cold-blooded vertebrates is linked to environmental temperatures, we could expect to see their lifespans further reduced as temperatures continue to rise through global warming.”
A Tiny Frog Emerging from a Pond
A close-up view of the tiny, baby frog spotted near to the office pond. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Providing suitable habitats for animals such as frogs, newts and toads is essential. School wildlife areas, especially those with a body of water can play a vital role in helping to sustain local populations, as well as providing schoolchildren with an opportunity to study wildlife at close quarters. Teaching teams can then use these resources to help link learning to key elements of the science curriculum.
