Sunday with a Scientist provides monthly educational opportunities for children

Lisa Wolterman and her son, Michael, waited eagerly for the doors to open at the University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall Sunday afternoon. They wanted to meet the archaeology professors of this month's Sunday with a Scientist.

Wolterman traveled from Carroll, Iowa, to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln so her son could visit the museum for this month's talk featuring archaeology.

"My uncle and aunt, who live in Nebraska, informed me about this event," Wolterman said. "We decided to go because Michael wants to be a paleontologist and, since his birthday is next week, this is kind of his birthday gift."

They've already been to a dig in South Dakota and are heading to Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park next. Wolterman and her son were among many others interested in learning more about archaeology.

Kathy French, the museum's education coordinator, said each month the museum provides a chance for people of all ages to meet with scientists or professionals in their field.

"It's an informal opportunity for people to visit and ask questions," French said.

Children handled replicas of skulls and learned about the evolution of humans while Martha McCollough, an associate professor of anthropology at UNL, explained differences in the skulls.

"Our heads can't get any bigger because it would kill our mothers," McCollough said, explaining why humans' skulls are their current size.

The skulls are white and brown to represent what bones a scientist might actually find at a dig and what parts would have to be made to show what the overall skull would look like.

Shimelis Beyene, an anthropology lecturer, hopes that by teaching about evolution and different primates, children will find an interest and grow up to try and preserve primates.

Outside, children had the chance to get dirty with anthropology professor Peter Bleed. He explained the differences in dirt layers while standing in a hole he dug earlier that morning. Bleed instructed the children to take turns shoveling out a flat surface against the wall of the hole. The children analyzed the different layers of the soil.

After discontinuing the program for 10 years, museum officials restarted Sunday with a Scientist this year. Since January, the museum's monthly sessions have included talks about endangered species, nanoscience and other topics.

The museum also sponsors other programs that allow children to get hands-on experience, such as the Nature Palooza in October. They also plan to have two Navajo weavers visit and weave throughout the day so children can get the chance to learn from other cultures.

BETHANYHEBERT@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM