Digging Fossils - Library District launches new Take & Make program

GAINESVILLE ‒ Dig into a hands-on prehistoric activity with a free Take & Make Fossil Box from the Alachua County Library District. Families can register for a Fossil Box between Sept. 21-Oct. 5 at www.aclib.us/takeandmake.

Each box includes a fossil block and tool to unearth real fossils, plus a guide to identifying these ancient organisms. Fossil Boxes also include passes to the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. This take-home activity is designed for families and elementary school-aged children. Participants can select which library branch to collect their boxes from when they register, and Fossil Boxes will be available for pick up from Oct. 9-16.

After excavating fossils, uncover the mysteries of Florida's prehistoric past and learn how fossils are made at two special Live Virtual Programs in October on Zoom or Facebook with the museums. Registration is not required for these programs.

Florida Museum 360°: Giants of Florida’s Prehistoric Past, Sunday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Take a virtual tour and meet the spectacular giants in the Florida Museum of Natural History’s “Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life and Land” exhibit hall. Discover the stories of the Megalodon Shark, Terror Bird, and Giant Ground Sloth, including how they got so big and why they went extinct. Presented by Florida Museum Youth Outreach Coordinator Alberto Lopez Torres.

Cade Fossil Fun, Sunday, Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Step into the Cade’s Lab to learn about Florida limestone, how rocks and fossils are formed, and what they tell us. Presented by Cade Museum Director of Experiential Education Patty Lipka.

“Children can play paleontologist with this free at-home activity and discover what kinds of creatures inhabited the Earth millions of years ago,” said Youth Services Librarian Sarah Grainger. “Continue your fossil explorations with our special programs in October and with books and movies from the Alachua County Library District.”

The Take & Make program is supported by a donation in celebration of Suzanne Stockdale's 75th birthday.

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