PHILADELPHIA, June 8, 2016

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum opens its newest exhibit Saturday, June 25, with a weekend of exciting hands-on dinosaur activities, a talk and book signing by a dinosaur expert, and the display of a rare New Jersey fossil from the renowned research collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Dinosaurs Unearthed features roaring, moving dinosaurs, towering skeletons, and amazing fossils that take visitors on an unforgettable journey to when the mysterious giants ruled the earth. Touch stations and consoles allow visitors to control the movements of dinosaurs, explore dinosaur sounds and digestion, and explore predator-prey relationships while having tons of fun.

At 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, Academy paleontologist Jason Poole will give a fascinating presentation on the sites in Montana that have yielded many dinosaur fossils over his years of paleontological work. He plans to return to Montana in July to continue the exploration. Poole will sign copies of his new coloring book for adults, Dynasty of Dinosaurs.

Drawing on the wall is outlawed in most homes, but this weekend only, visitors are encouraged to draw their favorite dinosaur scene on the museum’s diorama glass with special markers. Kids won’t want to miss Academy mascot Eddie the T. rex as he roams the galleries and Marty the Moose as he recites a hilarious dinosaur story at 2 p.m. both days.

Also this weekend only, the Academy will display a huge hand claw, lower jaw and teeth of Dryptosaurus, a local dinosaur closely related to and alive at the same time as Tyrannosaurus rex. The meat-eating Dryptosaurus was discovered in 1866 in Gloucester County, N.J., and described for science by the famous Edward Drinker Cope. It was later renamed by Othniel Marsh during the famous “Bone Wars.” The Dryptosaurus fossils are part of the Academy’s research collection and are rarely put on display for preservation reasons.

Opening weekend also will feature live animal shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., up-close exploration of amazing fossils, craft-making and more, all free with museum admission. There is an additional fee for Dinosaurs Unearthed. For more details, visit ansp.org.

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