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Celebrate National Fossil Day in DC and Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, the National Mall will host the ultimate fossil and paleontology experience for visitors in the largest celebration of National Fossil Day yet. The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is proud to celebrate this event, organized by the National Park Service as part of AGI’s Earth Science Week, to promote public awareness about ancient life, paleontology, and public fossil resources.

National Fossil Day gathers scientists, educators, fossil enthusiasts, and the general public across the country at parks, classrooms, museums, and other venues to share their passion and knowledge about ancient life, paleontology, and public fossil resources.

The National Park Service and National Fossil Day Partners from the greater Washington, D.C. area will be hosting a series of activities, fossil displays, interactive demonstrations, and will have fossil-themed giveaways for visitors throughout the day. This event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the pathway between the Smithsonian Castle and the National Museum of Natural History.

This program on the National Mall, free and open to the public, will include:

  • A “Fossil Photo Booth” hosted by AGI—see yourself in paleo history!
  • Be sworn in as a Junior Paleontologist and receive your official junior paleontologist badge by completing the National Park Service’s Junior Paleontologist workbook.
  • Compare yourself to Astrodon johnstoni, the largest dinosaur found east of the Mississippi River (and Maryland’s official state dinosaur) and learn about the other creatures it lived with, hosted by the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)’s Dinosaur Park in Prince George’s County, Md.
  • Take a look at the fossil teeth of Megalodon, the largest shark to ever evolve, and other marine fossils from the Calvert Cliffs.
  • Learn about public fossil resources from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
  • Experience a 3D virtual fossil K-12 educational expedition at the Grand Canyon created by our first National Fossil Partner, Franklin County High School, and Virtual Worlds of Learning.

While the National Mall event will take place on October 17, National Fossil Day is officially celebrated at various locations nationwide on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Look for fossil-themed activities and materials in the Earth Science Week Toolkit.

Reaching over 50 million people annually, Earth Science Week has been led by AGI in cooperation with its sponsors and the geoscience community since 1998. To learn more, please visit www.earthsciweek.org. To order your Earth Science Week Toolkits, see http://www.earthsciweek.org/materials. You may also call AGI Publications to place your order at 703-379-2480.

Meet paleontology professors and students from George Washington University, the University of Maryland, and Virginia Tech sharing their latest research and discoveries.