The Jurassic Park theme played as Spring Valley Elementary fourth graders searched a room full of prehistoric exhibits Monday. They were looking for answers to a scavenger hunt, including one question that asked them to count displays featuring prehistoric animals or items from Texas.
Three girls stopped to compare what they had found and decide which displays counted.
“I think it’s 20,” one told her small group.
“Yeah, I agree – that was the same number I got,” her classmate added.
Nearby, some students worked independently, while others moved between searching on their own and teaming up with classmates. Upbeat dance music kept the room lively as they explored.
The exhibit was the Dinosaur George Traveling Museum, a collection of real prehistoric specimens and fossil replicas brought directly to schools. The SVE PTA funds the program every five years so students have an opportunity to experience it during their elementary years.
“They’re reading, asking questions and learning from one another, but to them, it feels like an adventure,” Principal Kristie Ingram said.
Its founder, George Blasing, has spent more than 25 years teaching children about dinosaurs and other prehistoric life. According to his organization, he has presented to more than 4 million people over his career. The museum is designed to help students learn through close observation, questions and discovery.
Students in each grade visited during their specials time, when they would normally go to PE, art, music or library. After hearing a short talk about the collection from Dinosaur George, they used the scavenger hunt to guide them through the displays.
“The scavenger hunt gave students a reason to slow down, study the collection and ask questions,” said Spring Valley librarian Staci Morgan. “They were excited to see what they could discover for themselves.”
The visit gave students room to follow their curiosity in different ways. They could investigate a question alone, compare ideas with friends or ask a new question prompted by something they spotted in the collection.
“We’re grateful to our PTA for making an experience like this possible for Spring Valley students,” Ingram said.
