sightings – parka from Nunavut

From time to time, a new object appears in our main entry gallery.

Much as I loved the former resident of this display case (an assemblage of trilobite fossils), I was thrilled to see this beautiful parka has been recently installed for viewing.

parka constructed of caribou skin and bead-work 1971 photo source: Lorie Pierce

And check out the detail in the bead-work.

beaded faces and fringe photo source: Lorie Pierce

The specifics are on this signage.

photo source: Lorie Pierce

If you don’t find it legible, you’ll just have to drop by to see it in person!

 

 

 

 

bringing small objects to life – cylinder seals

The museum has at least two displays of cylinder seals. They are amazingly carved stone or clay beads with images in the negative. Once pressed into a wet clay, they reveal intricate scenes or ancient writing….all intended to be the insignia or authorization of an important person such as a king or pharaoh.

Yet, as artifacts go, they are small and easily overlooked…even if a dozen or more are mounted together.

Display of cylinder seals with photos of their positive imprints in Middle East Gallery photo source: Lorie Pierce

The display in the Ancient Egypt Gallery is similar. Here they are displayed with other artifacts.

cylinder seals displayed in middle row photo source: Lorie Pierce

Get in close and see the amazing detail.

cylinder seal of pharaoh Thutmose III photo source: Lorie Pierce

But a close up still does not give a good idea of how these beautifully carved objects served a very important and useful function. So I took a carved stone bead and some air-drying clay into the Middle East Gallery one day to see if I could add a dimension to a visitor’s understanding of cylinder seals by letting them replicate how a cylinder seal would be used.

As it turned out, I was able to engage a blind person and her escort. By rolling the seal across the clay and feeling the impression left, they were able to connect with the collection in a way that was not otherwise possible. The clay was easily folded and kneaded into shape for the next visitor. Kept within a plastic bag, it would provide a fresh surface for impressions all day.

Now, how to move this idea forward. How can the museum implement brief but meaningful engagement opportunities like this with its visitors. Some suggestions…

1. That engagements like this become part of staff facilitated activities within the galleries that display small objects likely to be overlooked.
2. That a supply of beads and clay be available for docents or gallery interpreters who are doing tours or interpretation in these galleries.
3. That a permanent activity installation (an impression station?) be created so that visitors can interact without staff or volunteers present.
4. That an item for sale in the gift shop offer the opportunity for engagement. At least one other major museum sells replica cylinder seal necklaces…and they come with a portion of clay so that you can see the positive image of the carving.

close-up of cylinder seal and photo of its impression photo source: Lorie Pierce

Take another look. They are truly exquisite pieces of art.

Knitted models – nautiloids

Models can be very useful in museum programming and education. I have previously discussed the use of LEGO and in this post I will be considering models made from fibre crafts such as knitting.

The unique feature of soft knitted models is their flexibility. This is especially useful in the case of the knitted ammonite that may be shown curled or straight.

alternate knitted versions of ammonite photo source: knitty.com artist : Beth Skwarecki

Find the free pattern at http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTnautie.html

In my experience though, I find that I have to hunt to locate patterns that result in models that are realistic and not too cartoon-like. However, there are some excellent resources out there to assist.

A website that is devoted to access to quality knit patterns is http://www.ravelry.com

Although it is free to use, you must sign up. Then you will find a trove of patterns that are either free or at a nominal charge. Just search for the type of pattern you are looking for.

In addition, the public library may have knitting books or magazines that include patterns suitable for model making. I also keep my eye on Amazon, Indigo and other book sellers, particularity for any craft books by Lark Publications.

Knit models are soft, colourful and just the right size for children to hold.

 

 

 

Sightings – 'Dino' or 'Not-dino'

waiting for the Ultimate Dinosaur mini-museum event photo source : Lorie Pierce

What’s a dinosaur and what is not?

This team of prehistoric models is waiting to be sorted into ‘Dino’ or ‘Not Dino’ groups.

What’s your guess?

Hint : there are 5 dinosaurs

 

 

Adding video clips to your programming

New media is all around us and it is how a lot of people access information.

So I have been investigating how to incorporate selected video clips into outreach programming.

The first effort was to set up a WiFi connected laptop at the Medieval Europe event. Through this link, the participants could go online to play a jousting game and construct a motte and bailey castle.

I sensed that the Ultimate Dinosaur mini-museum would benefit from additional information specifically about the southern hemisphere dinosaurs featured in the exhibit.                   But how to do it?

Luckily I came across a web tool that enables the downloading of clips from YouTube such as this short description of Nigersaurus by the paleontologist Paul Sereno, produced by the Field Museum in Chicago. Click on the link below to open the video (MP4 format).

skull of Nigersaurus from Ultimate Dinosaur exhibit, ROM photo source: Lorie Pierce

Nigersaurus clip.mov

Now this video clip and several others can be loaded on a laptop for participants to access during the event. The clips feature paleontologists in the field showing the realities of fossil hunting in Antarctica and in the lab explaining the details in the bones that lead to the classification of the unique species, Nigersaurus.

Here’s how to use this tool.

1. Find a suitable YouTube video and copy the URL.

2. Go to keepvid.com

3. Paste the URL in the blue box and press the Download button on the same line.

4. Allow the download when asked.

5. Choose the file type (eg.MP4) and where to copy the video (eg into a folder on onto your desktop)

Now you have your own copy of the video.

Remember to check copyright restrictions before use.

musings – a sad loss

It is sad when paleontologists have to protect their new finds from damage by human hands.

A recent hadrosaur find near Grand Prairie Alberta was smashed to bits by vandals.

According to the Canadian Press, Rob Drinkwater, Edmonton

The group says it is at least the fourth act of fossil poaching and vandalism in the region in the last month and a half.

At Pipestone Creek Park in the region, a bone bed has been harmed, and in late May, a Plexiglas cover protecting and showcasing several fossilized bones was smashed.

In later incidents in June, a vertebra and several rib bones were stolen………….

Bell said the Hadrosaur would have warranted a major exhibit in a new museum that’s planned for the area, scheduled to open next summer in Wembley, Alta.

“It’s a tragedy not only for our science but for the whole community that will benefit from the new museum,” he said.

Up until now, I must admit that I have been fairly blase about hadrosaurs. We have so many of them on display at our museum that they do not feel as ‘special’ as unusual finds like the Gondwanan Cryolophosaurus, Repetosaurus or Suchomimus. But every fossil’s destruction is a loss for all. Every find can give some more information about the state of the world way back when.

Sightings – Twinkle

One of the resident felines at my house loves to be involved with anything creative that I have spread out on the dining room table….especially if involves beads.

In fact, it is often difficult for me to document the stages of these creations for this blog without a furry blur appearing before the camera lens. Here are a few recent Twinkle sightings.

Twinkle inspecting the Medieval Europe backdrop photo source: Lorie Pierce

Twinkle checking finished version of Dino TV photo source: Lorie Pierce

 

helping with the knitting photo source: Lorie Pierce

Of course there are times when nothing will make her budge from her spot in the sunshine.

Twinkle and Mr.Sunshine photo source: Lorie Pierce

It's a styrofoam world

Plate tectonics features heavily in the museum’s new exhibit about southern hemisphere dinosaurs. With the help of a few pieces of styrofoam left over from other projects, and a template from the USGS, the southern continents are now handy jigsaw puzzle pieces to push together (for Pangea) or pull apart (for the modern world)

Wording from the USGS website:

Although Alfred Wegener was not the first to suggest that continents have moved about the Earth, his presentation of carefully compiled evidence for continental drift inspired decades of scientific debate. Wegener’s evidence, in concert with compelling evidence provided by post World War II technology, eventually led to universal acceptance of the theory of Plate Tectonics in the scientific community.

source for puzzle and lesson plans:

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/about/edu/dynamicplanet/wegener/index.php

start with some scrap pieces of styrofoam and a serrated steak knife photo source: Lorie Pierce

add the continents - next step is colouring the lifeforms for easy matching photo source: Lorie Pierce

The USGS website also provides information sheets on the lifeforms shown on the continents, a key to the puzzle and an outline children can use to prompt how the pieces fit together.

At the Ultimate Dinosaur event, children will be able to manipulate these pieces while learning about Pangea and then take their own copy of the puzzle pieces home to colour and cut out.

 

 

 

 

Sightings – two-headed polar bear

Ever since the biodiversity gallery was opened at my museum, I have noticed an interesting optical effect. However, yesterday was the first time I had a camera with me in order to document it.

So I now present the two-headed polar bear from the Canadian Arctic.

the two-headed polar bear photo source: Lorie Pierce

As I was cropping the photo, I noticed that the panda seems to be taking a particular interest in his unusual neighbour (although the narwhal appears to be taking no notice at all).

so are you coming or going? photo source: Lorie Pierce