Field Trip: American Museum of Natural History

November 16, 2024 in New York

On November 16, 2024, I went to the American Museum of Natural History in New York with the Science and Global Change Scholars. Dr. Merck and Dr. Holtz led me through some of the fossil halls where I explored the exhibits on natural history and participated in guided tours. This field trip deepened my understanding of evolutionary biology and space exploration where I also learned about how scientific collections are made and preserved. The day included participation in two guided tours, a self-guided observation in the Rocks and Minerals exhibit, and attendance at the Space Show, "Worlds Beyond Earth."

Guided Tour 1: Dr. Holtz on Dinosaurs The first guided tour with Dr. Holtz focused on the museum’s dinosaur fossils where the primary organizing principle of the dinosaur halls were evolutionary relationships where the exhibits were structured around a family tree rather than the more outdated approach of grouping the fossils by time periods. Highlights from the tour included a Stegosaurus where Dr. Holtz emphasized the distinctive bony plates on their back as well as the four spikes at the end of its tail which was likely used for defense. Furthermore, he introduced us to the Velociraptor which was very small as the skulls were the size of a human hand and were entirely feathered. Dr. Holtz explained how the media misrepresented these dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, showing how scientific understanding of dinosaurs has evolved over time. Some outdated features of the exhibit include how the display showed the Stegosaurus spikes pointing outward, however based on modern understanding, these spikes were likely directed backwards in order to facilitate defense with a sweeping motion. In addition,  the Velocirapotor should incorporate feathers and be portrayed as a smaller creature in size.

Guided Tour 2: Dr. Fletcher on the Collections Core and Insectarium On the second guided tour with Dr. Fletcher regarding the Collections Core, we examined specimens such as box turtles and corals. These box turtles were collected from Long Island, NY and show genetic diversity over the years which is useful for studying evolution. Moreover, corals were preserved by drying and these specimens help predict future adaptations and provide insight into the past environments that they lived in before. Natural history specimens such as the box turtles and corals are significant for DNA extraction and studying changes in evolution. Ethical considerations include making sure that the collection does not harm existing populations and obtaining proper permits in order to collect the specimens. 

Self-Guided Observations: Rocks and Minerals Exhibit My group and I went to the Rocks and Minerals Exhibit which was organized by mineral chemistry, geological environments, and different geological time periods. Some specific items that were displayed in the exhibit include stibnite crystals which are made up of tiny building blocks called unit cells made up of sulfur and antimony as well as halite (salt) which crystallizes from evaporating saltwater, found with sylvite and gypsum. In addition, many diamonds were displayed that were made entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a rigid structure. These diamonds are formed under extreme pressure and temperature deep within the Earth. The Space Show this year was called “Worlds Beyond Earth” and the theme was exploration where the different planets within our solar system were observed. It presented information about Venus, Mars, and the asteroid belt, explaining the potential for life on other planets and the unique conditions on planets similar to Earth. The images seemed to be based on both measurements and observations, but a lot seemed to be graphics designed by a special effects studio. Venus is often considered a “twin” of Earth, but it has no magnetic field because it does not rotate fast enough. Mars and Venus have evolved drastically differently due to their atmospheric conditions even though they are similar in size and composition. I also learned that all the asteroids in the asteroid belt out together have a smaller mass than the moon and that our planet is an oasis in the solar system.

General Thoughts The AMNH caters to a broad audience by providing information in multiple languages, making sure that people from all over the world can understand and appreciate the items on display. In addition, they offer touchscreens and interactive displays allowing visitors to engage with content at their own pace. This can especially be helpful for younger audiences or those with learning disabilities. The museum is also equipped with elevators, ramps, and a variety of seating which makes it accessible for visitors with mobility impairments. Additionally, there are audio guides available for those who may have difficulty reading or prefer learning auditorily.