Event name: AMNH Excursion Report

Event time and place: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. November 16, 2024

The fossil halls of the Museum of Natural History bring the evolutionary story to life through its fossils and thematic models. Each hall is designed with a clear organizing principle that connects the physical arrangement of fossils to the evolutionary relationships between species. The use of life-sized models, skeletal reconstructions, and interactive graphics allows visitors to visualize what ancient creatures looked like and how they lived. Some halls are arranged chronologically, moving through different geological periods, while others are organized thematically, focusing on key adaptations or evolution. Despite this thorough and engaging atmosphere, they also reveal how exhibits need updates to reflect ongoing discoveries in paleontology. Updating exhibits with modern findings such as the rediscovery of Coelacanths or the reconstruction of Deinocheirus, poses challenges in terms of space and design but is essential to keep the halls accurate and engaging for visitors.


Dr. Merck’s tour: Dr. Merck highlighted how the evolution of jaws revolutionized feeding strategies in early vertebrates. Starting as simple two-part structures in ancient fish, jaws evolved into more advanced forms, enabling animals to eat a wider variety of foods. The display uses comparisons between fossilized jaws and modern animal skulls to showcase this progression. Another interesting point was the transition of animals from water to land, emphasizing that early four-limbed animals (tetrapods) still relied on water to lay eggs. This limitation tied them to aquatic environments despite their land-dwelling adaptations. The exhibit effectively showcases this with fossils of early amphibians and diagrams showing how their reproductive strategies worked and eventually developed into eggs that could be laid on land. Despite this accuracy, the exhibit also suggests that turtles are part of the broader reptile group without acknowledging the more recent discovery that turtles are more closely related to birds than to crocodiles. Updating this would require revising diagrams and evolutionary trees to reflect current genetic and anatomical findings. The challenge would be explaining this unexpected relationship without overwhelming visitors with technical details. In addition, the exhibit incorrectly labels coelacanths as extinct, but we now know they survived deep in the ocean. A modern update could include videos and photographs of living coelacanths alongside their fossils, showing their survival story. The challenge would be integrating this modern-day context into a hall focused on ancient life.

Dr. Holtz’s tour: Dr. Holtz explained how a two million year long rain event transformed ecosystems, leading to the dominance of large plant-eating dinosaurs capable of reaching the tops of tall trees. This connection between climate change and evolution is well illustrated using life-sized sauropod models and models showing the growth of ancient forests. The exhibit also tackles misconceptions about Velociraptors, which were small, feathered dinosaurs. The raptors in Jurassic Park were based on Deinonychus, a larger and more intimidating relative. Using models of both species helps clarify the distinction, making the scientific explanation more engaging. Despite this engaging atmosphere, the museum still fell prey to some errors and misconceptions. Initially, scientists knew Deinocheirus only from its massive arms, leaving its full appearance a mystery. Recent discoveries reveal it as a large dinosaur with a humped back and duck-bill-like features. Updating the exhibit with a full reconstruction and habitat display would reflect these findings but would require substantial redesign to fit the model. In addition, A fossil once believed to belong to Apatosaurus was later identified as a distinct dinosaur. This highlights the evolving nature of paleontology. The exhibit could include updated labels and an explanation of how this misclassification was resolved. The challenge would be presenting this correction in a way that doesn’t confuse visitors.


Self Guided Tour: The hall is the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, which is organized to showcase the geological processes, mineral formations, and their significance. The exhibits are arranged by themes, such as the origins of minerals, unique physical properties, and their connections to Earth's history. This organization helps visitors follow the journey from geological events to the formation of specific minerals and meteorites. For instance, there are sections dedicated to meteorites, craters, and the chemical or structural properties of gems and minerals. The first exhibit was the Ahnighito Meteorite. This 34-ton iron meteorite is part of the Cape York meteorite that landed in Greenland thousands of years ago. It is notable as the largest meteorite on display in any museum. The display highlights specific features of the meteorite, such as the Widmanstätten pattern (a unique crystalline structure in iron meteorites), missing metal due to natural erosion, and its solid structural support. The second exhibit was Wolf Creek Crater Fragment, which was a fragment of the meteorite that created the Wolf Creek Crater in Western Australia. The display includes a photograph of the crater and explains the stress fractures caused by the impact. The third exhibit was Shatter Cone from Wells Creek Crater in Tennessee, which was a cone-shaped rock feature formed by shockwaves from a meteorite impact, demonstrating the immense energy involved in such collisions. The sign explains how shatter cones form and provides insight into the structural changes caused by impact events. While the exhibits provide information about the location and formation of the specimens, some additional information could be about the location and formation of the specimens, more geological context about the areas where the meteorites landed (e.g., specific ecosystems affected by the impacts) could be interesting. This could have been included through multimedia displays or interactive maps showing how these impacts changed local geology over time. Given space constraints, the museum could use digital screens or QR codes that visitors can scan to access deeper information, such as maps, animations of meteorite impacts, or cultural insights about these specimens. Alternatively, an audio guide app could enhance the visitor experience without overcrowding the physical displays. In summary, the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals effectively organize and present fascinating specimens but could enrich the experience with additional geological and cultural context.

The title of the Space Show at the American Museum of Natural History in New York is "Worlds Beyond Earth". The theme explores the dynamic nature of the solar system, emphasizing the connections between planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. It highlights recent discoveries, focusing on topics such as Jupiter's magnetic fields, the evolution of Venus, the oceans on moons like Europa, and the Earth's own geophysical processes. The information presented combines data based on scientific measurements and observations with high-quality visualizations created using advanced animation and graphics technology. This blend makes it clear which parts are based on actual data and which are artistic representations to help illustrate complex phenomena. One fascinating piece of information presented is the role of Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere in fostering life, in contrast to other planets and moons. For many visitors, the comparisons between Earth's unique qualities and other celestial bodies may be new and thought-provoking​.

The American Museum of Natural History works hard to ensure its exhibits and programs are accessible and engaging for its diverse audience. One way the museum provides accessibility is through elevators and ramps throughout its buildings, ensuring that visitors with wheelchairs, strollers, or other mobility aids can navigate the exhibits easily. For example, the Rose Center for Earth and Space features wide pathways and accessible viewing areas. Another way is multilingual resources such as signs and information in multiple languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, and French, to cater to the international audience. Certain exhibits include tactile elements (such as replicas of fossils or meteorites) and large, clear graphics to help visually impaired visitors or those with cognitive differences engage with the material. These accommodations ensure that the museum remains accessible and enjoyable for its broad and diverse audience. Additional improvements, such as expanding multilingual signage or offering more exhibits that can be touched, could further enhance the experience for all visitors.