EVENTS

FOSSIL FEST

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

HMSC Visitor Center, 10am - 4pm

Attend our 13th annual day-long Fossil Fest event for an up-close look at some exciting fossils and the scientists who work with them.  Bring in your fossils or other beach finds for identification by Oregon's preeminent paleontologist, Dr. William Orr.  Co-author of the book Oregon Fossils, Dr. Orr will also give a presentation in the Hennings Auditorium at 1:30pm entitled "The Fossil Record of the Earliest Life on Earth".  Other Fossil Fest activities include a fossil swap and special displays staffed by the North American Research Group.  Admission is by suggested donation.

The Fossil Record of the Earliest Life on Earth, 1:30pm

Knowledge of fossils older than 1/2 billion years has been limited primarily by our imagination.  After a few scraps of fossils from rocks older than 500 million years were found in the 1950's and 60's, there began a "gold rush" of paleontologists looking for more.  Even though they are very modest and small, these fossil remains chronicle the origin of life and the early appearance of animals derived from primitive plants.  In addition to discussing these issues, Dr. Orr will also consider the probability of life on other planets and solar systems, and will speculate on what these aliens might look like.

BACK WING TOURS

SATURDAYS AT 12 NOON 

Discover how aquarists care for our marine animal collection by joining a free ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the animal health wing at the HMSC Visitor Center. On most Saturdays at noon, graduate student aquarist Michael Liu will lead visitors to the quarantine, holding, medical, teaching, and research areas of the West Wing. Take this opportunity to interact with aquarists and ask questions about the animals and HMSC’s life-support systems. To participate in this 35-minute tour, please sign-up at the front desk. (There is a 20 person limit on each tour).

RECENT EVENTS

BILL GOES TO SEA, October 15-21, 2011:

• Visit Dr. Bill Hanshumaker's blog "Bill Goes to Sea", and read the chronicle of his experiences on board the R/V Wecoma.
• Read more about Bill

SHARK DAY SALMON SHARK NECROPSY, January 8, 2011:

• Photos
• Video of the dissection (1:24:57)

OCTOPUS DAY, November 13, 2010:

• Photos

CALENDAR