|
Project Exploration |
“SUPERCROC
PROJECT” BRINGS STUDENTS |
Contact: Gabrielle Lyon Gina Grant (773) 643-3014 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Project
Exploration’s "SuperCroc Delegates" stand with the 110-million-year
old, 6-foot-long fossil skull of Sarcosuchus imperator,
at the October 25 announcement at National Geographic Headquarters in
Washington, DC.
Click
here for expanded view
Ten students from Chicago will have front row seats when paleontologist Dr. Paul Sereno announces the discovery of “SuperCroc,” an ancient reptile so big it ate dinosaurs.
Delegates will travel to the National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D. C., October 24-25, with Project Exploration’s Executive Director, Gabrielle Lyon, and Educator, Gina Grant, to be on hand as Sereno unveils the six-foot long skull and flesh head and neck of a 110-million-year old crocodilian unearthed in the Sahara.
Sarcosuchus, perhaps one of the largest crocodilian species ever to have evolved reached an estimated 40 feet in length. It was found in the Sahara by an expedition team led by Paul Sereno in 2000 and will be announced to the press at National Geographic Headquarters on October 25.
This unique opportunity, coordinated by Chicago-based Project Exploration, gives students a chance to participate in a major science press conference, to see science in the making and to witness how scientific discoveries are brought to the public. To prepare for the experience, The “SuperCroc Delegates” attended a three-hour training, read advance copies of the upcoming scientific report, toured the lab where the fossils were cleaned and reviewed the press materials before they were made available to the public.
The Delegates, ranging in age from 11 to 17, and drawn from schools around Chicago, have one thing in common: all of them have excavated dinosaurs in the field with Dr. Sereno, thanks to Project Exploration programs.
“This kind of experience is usually limited to reporters and scientists. What better way to support students’ interests in science than to invite them to be part of a historic scientific announcement?” said Lyon, who in addition to directing Project Exploration, was a member of the team that unearthed Sarcosuchus.
TEACHERS GET SNEAK PEEK; INTERACTIVE WEBSITE TO BE LAUNCHED
Helping students understand first hand what science is all about is just one element in Project Exploration’s “SuperCroc Project,” which includes professional development with teachers and the launch of an interactive, content-rich website.
On Sunday, Oct. 21, Project Exploration hosted more than 30 Chicago Public School teachers to a “Top Secret Sneak Peek” - an inside look at the stories and images the rest of the world will learn about on October 25th. The sneak preview included a presentation by Dr. Sereno on the science of the new discovery, a tour of the working dinosaur lab where the 110-million-year old fossils were cleaned. Teachers received an extensive “secret file” of images, illustrations and background information for use in classrooms.
Project Exploration’s interactive website, www.supercroc.org, will bring the excitement of the discovery world wide. Content rich, the site includes a photo gallery, interviews, and classroom activities. Project Exploration uses cutting edge technology to bring science in action to online visitors - and emphasizes bringing teachers and students to the internet.
One year ago, Project Exploration’s Dinosaur Expedition website enabled more than 500 Illinois students to correspond directly with Sereno’s expedition team while it was in the field. In addition, 60,000 people from 12 states and 14 countries followed the expedition online as the team faced sandstorms, 130 degree heat, and the excavated more than 20,000 tons of fossils.
Project Exploration, a non-profit science education organization co-founded by Sereno and his wife, educator Gabrielle Lyon, is dedicated to making science accessible to the public - and especially city kids and girls. Through youth development programs such as Sisters4Science, the Dinosaur Giants Team and Junior Paleontologists, Project Exploration works to connect kids and families with real science and working scientists.
Attached: List of Delegates and Delegate Responsibilities
SUPERCROC DELEGATION
FACT SHEET
DELEGATES SCHOOLS/GRADE
Edna Angeles Telpochcalli, 8th grade
Fred Barge Hyde Park Academy, 11th grade
Kendra Brooks Perspectives High School, 10th grade
Yolanda Ervin Young Women’s Leadership Charter, 9th grade
Marco Mendez Noble Street Charter, 11th grade
Hugo Pelayo Jones Academic Magnet HS, 10th grade
Eddie Rogers Triumphant Charter School, 8th grade
Susan Silva Global Village, Amundensen High School, 10th grade
Judy Saavedra Lakeview High School, 11th grade
Elena Schroeter Curie High School, 11th grade
DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITIES
Each SUPER CROC DELEGATE is responsible for:
· Attending a three-hour training on the scientific significance and specialized anatomy of Sarcosuchus
· Traveling to Washington, DC, October 24-25 to participate in the announcement of Sarcosuchus
· Creating an interactive component for the SuperCroc Delegation website
· Making a presentation at school about the science of the SuperCroc and the trip to DC
· Submitting a reflective report on “How the experience affected the way I think about science”
DELEGATION LEADERS
Gina Grant - Gina Grant is Project Exploration’s Teaching Fellow on loan from CPS. In addition to running Sisters4Science, Mrs. Grant works with schools and teachers, and develops curriculum for PE website. Gina specializes in hands-on science labs, and web projects.
Luke Mahler - Luke Mahler is Project Exploration’s lead tour guide and student lab programs educator and a 3rd-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago majoring in Biology. Luke has worked in the Dinosaur Lab for two years and has concentrated his efforts on the nearly six-foot-long skull of the ancient crocodile Sarcosuchus.
PROJECT EXPLORATION.
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