Scientists Excavate Ancient Pit Filled with Dinosaur Bones

by Ellie Pleasnick, age 12

Utah is known for its preservation of dinosaur fossils. A particular site that stands out is Cleveland-Lloyd dinosaur quarry, a national landmark that is 148 million years old. For decades, scientists have studied this region to understand the Jurassic dinosaur fossils that have been left behind. In particular, they want to understand why the quarry is so packed with carnivorous bones.

The very first excavation at Cleveland-Lloyd occurred in 1928 and was led by scientists from the University of Utah. Ten years later, William Lee Stokes, who studied at Princeton University, led an excavation at the site. Eventually he came to be a chief authority at the bone bed. Many years later, paleontologists continued to excavate the quarry and discovered that more than 75% of the bones found there came from a dinosaur called Allosaurus fragilis . This species was able to grow up to 30 feet long, had three large curved claws on each hand, and had sharp teeth. Along with Allosaurus, bones from other dinosaurs like Marshosarus and Stokesaurus also appeared at the quarry, but in significantly fewer amounts.

Initial hypotheses for the dense concentration of dinosaur fossils in the area involved the idea of a predator trap. Scientists hypothesized that dinosaurs in search of water accidentally stumbled into a drying lake bed. Slowly the dinosaurs sank into the mud and could not escape. Scientists believe this cycle of dinosaurs sinking and dying happened repeatedly over many years. The Allosaurus would come and most likely feast on the trapped dinosaurs, and get stuck themselves, therefore making Allosaurus a large part of the quarry. [read more]

Newly Discovered Reef Towers Over the Ocean Floor

by Nevaeh Powell, age 13

Near the end of October while observing an area near the Great Barrier Reef, scientists found one of the largest underwater structures discovered in over a century: a reef structure made of coral.

The scientists that found the reef were on a year long expedition surveying the seabed around Australia. As the researchers were traveling on the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research ship, the Falkor, they were using an subaquatic robot called SuBastian. SuBastian used technology that allowed the scientists to explore and create 3D maps of the ocean. As the group was on their journey, they discovered the tower or “detached reef.'' A detached reef is a structure, or tower in this case, that isn't attached to a larger nearby reef but sits alone at the bottom of the sea floor.

The tower is 1,640 feet above the sea floor at its highest point and nearly a mile wide at the bottom. The tower is taller than the Empire State Building, and it's top is just 130 feet below sea level. [read more]

Dog-Sized Lizards Invade a Delicate Ecosystem

by Ayden Ross, age 14

A dog-sized lizard, the Argentine black-and-white tegu, is rapidly taking over the Everglades National Park. This lizard, native to South America, is spreading throughout South Florida and the southeastern region of the U.S. Biologists are concerned because these lizards will eat almost anything that will fit into their mouths, from berries to small animals such as birds and reptiles, as well as the eggs of animals that nest on the ground such as endangered sea turtles.

These dog-sized lizards can make very calm pets for those who like exotic reptiles. Unfortunately, people have let them loose into the wild where they have bred prolifically. Official estimates of the tegu lizard population in the U.S is unknown, however, a 2018 study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey stated that, “the entire southeast portion of the United States is at risk.”

Once in the wild, the tegu lizards are able to thrive in regions containing grasslands and in other areas that have a significant amount of rain, such as in hardwood and subtropical pine forests. [read more]

History of Native American Mounds in Wisconsin

by Hanna Eyobed, age 14

Have you ever been hiking in the Madison area and seen mounds in the ground? Do you know the significance of a mound to Wisconsin’s history?

There are many kinds of mounds built by Native Americans. They can be shaped like panthers, bears, geese, and turtles. Others can be in the shapes of cones or lines. According to the National Park Service, the mounds were built with very little technology. Builders used baskets to gather and carry dirt to the mound location. Then they began pouring the dirt out and proceeded to press the dirt down with their hands and feet. This process took a few days as they would work from morning to night, padding down the dirt to their desired shape. [read more]

Something for Everyone at Lake Farm Park and Capital Springs Recreation

by Sharon Ruiz and Kadjata Bah

On a chilly and cloudy morning, we took a trip to Lake Farm County Park, a section of the Capital Springs Recreation Area, to take a tour of the property and the new Lower Yahara River Trail. The Lower River Trail includes a new boardwalk bridge that stretches over Lake Waubesa, connecting Madison to McFarland. The total distance of the trail is 2.5 miles, and the bridge itself is an impressive mile long. The boardwalk bridge is fully accessible and features fishing piers and scenic outlooks. At the end of the bridge, the tranquility of McDaniel Park awaited us.

We walked back across the bridge to Lake Farm County Park. We soon realized there were many connecting trails for those who enjoy activities such as hiking and cross-country skiing.

This county park is home to the Lussier Family Heritage Center and is host to the largest campground in the county parks system. The park also has three shelters at different points with playgrounds, picnic areas, and volleyball sections. By the first shelter, there is an observation tower that was recently renovated and provides a stunning view of the surrounding area. With to large acres of woodlands, marshes, and prairie, the park is home to many native wildlife species. Two Sandhill cranes attracted our attention on this day. [read more]

The Great Sphinx Guards the Pyramids of Giza

by Destany Jackson, age 13

Ancient Egyptians were skilled mathematicians and architects who built huge stone monuments in honor of their rulers. One type of monument they built for their pharaohs was the pyramid. The most impressive of the ancient monuments were the Egyptian pyramids which were built in Giza.

The Pyramids were built for the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom who ruled from 2686 to 2134 BC. The tombs inside the pyramids were huge and had four walls. The first Egyptian pyramid had stepped sides and was built in Saqqara around 2650 B.C.E. The pyramids built over 100 years later, in Giza, had flat sides. Inside the pyramids were burial chambers and secret passageways. No one really knows why the tombs were built in a pyramid shape. One theory is that the sides were viewed as a stairway to heaven to help pharaohs achieve eternal life.

The Pyramids still stand today. The manual labor needed to construct them was not provided by slaves but by ordinary workers who provided their unskilled service each year when the flooding Nile made it impossible for them to work in the fields. [read more]