Exhibits

Looking to brighten up these foggy Sacramento days? Take your camera and kids to the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center!

Gee Whiz Geology!

Rocks, fossils, and dinosaurs–Gee Whiz!

Start off your adventure by learning about two pioneers who discovered that the artifacts “devil’s toenails” and “snakestones” were actually skeletons of mysterious creatures from thousands of years ago!

Mary Anning In 1811, 12-year-old Mary Anning uncovered the entire fossil of a Icthyosaur. The "Princess of Paleontology,” she triumphed over poverty and cultural ignorance, becoming a celebrated scientist by discovering, collecting, and documenting new dinosaur species. Her excavations became the foundation for important dinosaur collections in both Europe and America.  Mary is even the subject of the popular tongue-twister “She sells seashells down by the seashore….” (An early entrepreneur, she also sold seashell fossils.)

Roy Chapman Andrews

Believed to be the inspiration for George Lucas' character Indiana Jones, Roy Chapman Andrews traveled as a secret agent for U.S. Naval Intelligence throughout Asia during World War I—collecting fossils along the way. Armed to the teeth, he fought bandits, enemy soldiers, wild animals, corrupt officials, and bad weather. But throughout his secret missions, he also focused on scientific excavation, carefully documenting his discoveries—including the first dinosaur eggs and Velociraptor fossils. And yes, the story is true: after accidentally setting up camp in a pit of vipers, he never liked snakes again!

But wait, there’s more!

Using the Museum’s new multi-size costume collection, kids can dress up as Mary or Roy by wearing long skirts, capes, leather jackets, and outback hats.

This hands-on exhibit features rocks, fossils, crystals, dinosaur bones, and volcanoes! Who knows, after visiting the Museum, you may become the next groundbreaking scientific explorer!