Discovering Dinosaurs

I had no idea that dinosaurs were discovered less than a two-hour drive from my house. Now I know—and you do, too. Workers building a dam in Hemet, California, that now serves as California’s emergency water supply in the event of a devastating earthquake found dinosaur bones and had to cease their working. More bones were found—many more—and the area eventually became home to the dam AND the Western Science Center museum. My boys, Grandma S., and I checked out the museum last week when I stopped by its related Western Center Academy, a charter school with a science leaning, to talk to the Young Authors’ Club about children’s books.

The young authors were impressively enthusiastic, and the dinosaurs were just plain impressive. We hung around for a quick tour of a water conservation museum that’s also housed at the Western Science Center, and for some good eats at the school’s annual fundraiser. We had a lovely outing. One of my boys took dozens of pictures that we worked up into a slide show for his and his brother’s class. I was quite proud of him for going that extra step to make sure his classmates could see the dinosaurs, too.

If you’re ever near Hemet, absolutely stop by the Western Science Center. It makes for a great afternoon adventure.

*Correction: My sons told me this morning that it’s not  “dinosaur” museum because these ancient bones of mammoths, sloths, mastadons, etc. were found during the Ice Age, which comes AFTER dinosaurs. My bad. Clearly I should have paid more attention to the movie, or gone to school with the boys last month during their dinosaur unit. *sigh*