PHILADELPHIA, February 16, 2016

Mix three noted paleontologists, two dinosaur artists,  dozens of rare fossils, a few flapping birds, and a dinosaur coloring book for adults and what do you get? You get a recipe for an amazing Paleopalooza festival at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University on Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6.

This year the annual festival mixes accessible science with a real-time art happening and hands-on activities for a fun family event running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

There will be dinosaur and other fossil displays from the Academy’s world-renowned collection and from the Delaware Valley Paleontological Society. Visitors can meet Academy paleontologist Ted Daeschler, who co-discovered the Arctic “fishapod” Tiktaalik roseae.

British paleontologist Phil Manning, with the National Geographic Dinosaur Mummy Project, and New Jersey State Museum paleontologist Jason Schein, will give family-friendly presentations about dinosaurs and their relatives. Michigan street artist David Zinn will bring Hadrosaurus foulkii to life in in chalk and charcoal while visitors watch.

Academy paleo-artist and Dinosaur Hall Manager Jason Poole will sign copies and illustrations from his new A Dynasty of Dinosaurs coloring book for adults, which he co-created with Schein. Drexel University students will use 3-D computer techniques and printing to view the dinosaur Dreadnoughtus schrani in virtual reality. And there’s more. 

Here are some of the highlights taking place both days of Paleopalooza. For a full list of activities, visit ansp.org.

• Rad Reptiles: Dandy Dinos and Bodacious Birds show, 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Dinosaur Wars show with Dr. Phil Manning, 1 p.m.
• Dinosaurs of the Bighorn Basin Dinosaur Projects show with Dr. Jason Schein, 2:30 pm.
• Take a guided tour of Dinosaur Hall, 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Search for real fossils to take home.
• See a newly unearthed duck-billed dinosaur being prepared for study.
• Make a paleo-craft to take home.

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