Education Everywhere — Grand Rapids Public Museum scientists and educators are planning to share their research from a paleontology project in Paraguay at a live virtual event on July 9 at 11 a.m. in the Meijer Theater.
GRPM Science Curator Cory Redman, Director of Education Erin Koren and other field researchers will give a presentation about “future fossils” in the Pilcomayo River Megafan and answer audience questions.
The event will run for about 45 minutes and is free with general museum admission.
“We are focused on the Pilcomayo (River Megafan) in Paraguay because megafan rivers distribute sediment throughout their path that can quickly preserve bones and send them on the path to become a fossil; we explain it as studying ‘future fossils,’” Koren said.
She said the project aims to help people better understand how fossils form on land.
The live presentation will provide a behind-the-scenes look at field research, showing a multi-national team of diverse scientists, their discoveries and unexpected challenges.
“We also want to provide insight about STEM careers by having the team members reflect on their path and share their specific areas of specialty,” Koren said. “With this work, we aim to make science accessible, exciting and inspiring for curious minds everywhere.”
This is Koren’s second summer of field research in Paraguay and Redman’s third. The long-term project began in 2022 with scientists and students from the University of New Mexico and Facultad de Ciencias Exactas u Naturales at Universidad Nacional de Asunción.
Starting next school year, Koren said one of her goals is to offer a hands-on paleontology program for field trips, including an interactive video series and a hands-on simulation of the field work techniques.
For more information, visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s website.
