Connecticut: Mystic, Dig Into Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s Newest Exhibit, Prehistoric Creatures of the Sea! 
If you family base is in the northeast you may wish to take advantage of a mini adventure offered by Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. They have a first-of-its-kind, interactive exhibit that allows kids to uncover authentic sea fossils while learning about geology and paleontology. In other words at the aquarium you can "Dig It" with your kids.
But can you dig it? Yes learning can be fun, and this is yet another example of the cool things available for parents to share with their school-aged children. We at FTF love this museum because they are committed to excellence, and it shows. I think everyone on staff has at least one cool thing to share with visitors and all you need to do is ask. The atmosphere of this museum is always an inspiration – like discovering a secret with friends. They have always had cool stuff to see and do. Their touch lab experiences are awesome and XD Motion Theater “Deep Sea 3D” is intense. So it was not surprising to me when I learned of their newest educational cue - Dig It! Prehistoric Creatures of the Sea. While I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing Dig It! in person I am sharing the news with you.
What kid doesn’t love the mysteries found in fossils? At Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration it is now possible to explore, and touch sea creatures from millions of years ago? They are waiting to be uncovered by pint-size paleontologists in the new interactive exhibit Dig It! Prehistoric Creatures of the Sea. This first-of-its-kind, hands-on exhibit provides a unique workshop experience where kids can dig for hundreds of authentic sea fossils. Currently, only three of these exhibits are open in the United States.
“Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is constantly evolving and creating new educational and interactive experiences for its visitors,” said Jonathan Scoones, director of exhibits at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. “We are excited to offer this unique exhibit, which engages and entertains the entire family while providing a new perspective on the history and evolution of our oceans.”
“The Aquarium is a natural fit for Prehistoric Creatures of the Sea,” said Dig It! Founder Jacqueline Drecksel. “Similar to the aquarium, kids learn without realizing it as they experience this exhibit. In addition, the theme brings the whole aquarium visit full circle – visitors see the live animals, and now they can learn about the history of sea life.”
Children are equipped with safety goggles, a pocketed apron and digging tools and led to the “Jurassic sand quarry,” where they can search for 14 different types of specimens hidden in sand from Utah’s deserts. The specimens range from shark and walrus teeth to fossilized whale ear bones (the whale’s inner ear), fish, coral, and shark vertebrae. While digging, kids can refer to the fossil identification station, which features examples and information on each specimen in the “quarry.”
The fossils range in age from 500 to 600 million years old and come from Brazil, China, Europe, Madagascar, Morocco and the United States. Every three months, the types of fossils to be discovered change, so kids can find new specimens with each visit.
After their “excavations” are complete, little explorers continue to one of two prep stations, where they are provided with etching picks and tools to fully uncover their fossil. Those with shark or walrus teeth can sit at one of several beading tables offering a barrel of beads and hemp cords and string their own shark or walrus tooth necklace. Upon leaving the exhibit, children are given identification cards containing information on their fossil.
The exhibit is open Friday, Saturday, Sundays and holidays from 10am to 4pm through 2010. Admission is $5 per child for non-member (in addition to aquarium admission) and $4 for member - this includes one fossil that the child can keep. Additional specimens $5 non-member and $4 member.
Make it happen. Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355. Located in Mystic just off Interstate 95, Exit 90; about 10 miles east of New London along Connecticut's South Eastern shore. (860) 572-5955 or
www.mysticaquarium.org About Dig It! The Fossil Workshop. Dig It! The Fossil Workshop was founded in 2002 by California native Jacqueline Drecksel. The concept developed from her love of fossil-excavating with her father as a child. After teaching geology and paleontology in Utah schools, Drecksel founded Dig It! as a fun and educational interactive workshop to share her passion with others. Parents may also find Dig-it! The Fossil Workshop at Everett Mall, 1402 SE Everett Mall Way Everett WA 98208. (425)423-8506. Get more details by going to
www.digitfossils.com or call toll-free 1-800-556-DINO.
