Dino Dig: More Than a Science Field Trip

Author: Barbara Brown

Beaumont students broaden their understanding working alongside professional paleontologists and researchers.

Finding a dinosaur bone on an archeological dig isn’t something that many high school students are doing on their summer breaks, but at least three rising Beaumont juniors set out to do just that this summer as they joined our Science Department Chair, Simon Masters on an archeological dig in Ekalaka, MT. Rachel Ankenbrandt ’20, Madeline Brown ’20, and Savannah Patterson ’20, along with chaperone Jenna Langa, ’11, worked the active research site on the Dino Dig, a Summer Dig Program conducted in conjunction with the Burpee Museum of Natural History out of Rockford, IL. Beaumont is unique on the dig as it is the only high school group, the only all-girls school of any kind, and one of few from a large metropolitan area.

The results from past years have been wide- ranging for the students. Every Beaumont student has found some fossils, and they’ve found bones from more than just dinosaurs: fish, bird, lizard, crocodile, turtle, tree, leaf, plants. All findings are contributed to the federally accredited collections of Burpee via the museum’s permits to conduct research on lands that are administered by the Department of Interior: Bureau of Land Management.

MORE THAN FINDING BONES

The Dino Dig is in its fourth year and is a special opportunity for Beaumont students for many reasons beyond discovering bones. A dig is more than science. It’s art, history, society, government, math, engineering, logistics, interpersonal interactions, some world language. Interactions occur not only in the field but also with the locals creating a better understanding of science, society, and how the two are interrelated. Researchers from all over the world participate in the Carter County Museum’s Dino Shindig including UC-Berkley Museum of Paleontology, Royal Ontario Museum, Smithsonian, Field Museum, Museum of the Rockies, and Oklahoma State University. “The interactions with scientists have had a huge impact on our students. Being able to see female role models presenting technical talks has been life-changing. Students see theexcitement of discovering bones and the real life paleontologists that study them as a career,” shared Mr. Masters.

“Being the only all-girls school there also provides the student with another bonding opportunity. Seeing themselves through the eyes of non-Beaumont students can be enlightening and empowering. Knowing you are part of the only all-girls school can help reinforce the excellent choice they made in going to Beaumont,” said Mr. Masters.

HOW THE DINO DIG CAME TO BEAUMONT

During his junior year of high school, Mr. Masters participated in a dig in Bozeman, MT and it set the direction for his college career. He brought that passion of field work to Beaumont in the form of the Dino Dig. He’s grateful for the school’s support of this valuable program.

Original Article From: https://www.beaumontschool.org/alumnae/beaumont-news/2018-fall-beaumont-news