From Fabulous Fossils to Deep Space and Dire Wolves

FEBRUARY 2024

Fabulous Fossils

STEM Girl Day Returns to UT Austin Saturday

Join Texas Science & Natural History Museum for Fabulous Fossils at STEM Girl Day at UT Austin! Learn about fossilization processes and explore fossils from different time periods and environments. See and touch real fossils such as bones, teeth and shells!

This activity will take place on the patio on the west side of the museum and is free for registered participants of STEM Girl Day, which welcomes elementary and middle school students, families and educators to a day of free STEM fun across the UT campus.

Exploring the Cosmos

From Webb to the Future

Join us March 12 to hear Dr. Stefanie Milam, James Webb Space Telescope Deputy Project Scientist for Planetary Science, share the latest science gathered within our solar system, including stunning imagery of planets and moons, and how the James Webb Space Telescope is paving the way in the search for water on moons within our solar system. Event will be followed by a light reception. Every attendee will also receive a free pair of solar viewing glasses from McDonald Observatory.

Space is limited. Museum members will have an opportunity to pre-register for this free public program tomorrow, and remaining seats will be available to the general public next week.

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Unearthing a Legend

Meet the Dire Wolf

Meet the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus)! Dire wolves were part of an ancient lineage of canids separate from wolves and coyotes, so they were not actually wolves. They were about 20% larger than modern day gray wolves (Canis lupus), with a massive broad skull.

This species lived from 250,000 to 13,000 years ago, ranging from Canada through the Americas to Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru. The skeleton pictured here is from the famous “La Brea Tar Pits” at Rancho La Brea, in Los Angeles, California, where more than 3,600 dire wolves have been found preserved in asphalt deposits. See this incredible specimen in our first-floor Paleontology Gallery!

Welcoming a New Team Member

We’re delighted to welcome Mariam Nouri, the museum’s new education coordinator, who brings a unique combination of scientific, engineering and education background to the team.

After completing her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University she was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Michigan. Returning to Texas, she was inspired to become a public-school educator while helping UT Austin ROTC cadets with their academics. Her public education career with Austin ISD and Round Rock ISD focused on STEM and Career & Technical education. Now, she brings this extensive experience with inquiry-based, project-based and phenomenon-based learning to expand learning opportunities at the museum, building a bridge between natural history and STEM applications. Welcome, Mariam!

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 24: Fabulous Fossils: STEM Girl Day at UT Austin

March 2: A Time Before Texas, Free Professional Development for Educators

March 12: From Webb to the Future, Free Public Program

April 6: Particles of Color: Where Science Meets Fashion, Exhibition Opens

April 13: Pollinator Day!

May 2: DIG: An Evening with Photographer Sarah Wilson, Free Public Program

Planning a group visit or field trip for 2024? Please email TMMTours@austin.utexas.edu to schedule and to receive a discount on admission!

STAY CONNECTED!