La Brea Tar Pits and George C. Page Museum Campus is one of the campuses operated by Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC). Our records show the address as Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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The La Brea Tar Pits campus, operated by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, specializes in immersive educational courses centered on Ice Age paleontology, excavation science, and prehistoric ecosystems. This site provides unique, site-specific learning experiences amid active fossil digs and tar pits, blending fieldwork with classroom instruction.
- Ice Age Paleontology Intensive: This core course introduces the Pleistocene epoch, focusing on the thousands of fossils recovered from the tar pits. Participants learn excavation methods, bone preparation, and species identification, including dire wolves, saber-toothed cats, and mammoths. Hands-on activities involve sifting through matrix samples and analyzing 3D fossil models.
- Fossil Preparation and Conservation Lab: A practical workshop teaching the delicate art of cleaning, stabilizing, and cataloging fossils. Students work in the museum's lab under expert supervision, using tools like air scribes and consolidants, while discussing ethical considerations in paleontological research.
- Prehistoric Megafauna Ecology: Exploring the interactions between ancient animals and their environment, this course covers food webs, extinction theories, and climate influences. Field observations at the pits complement lectures, with simulations of tar trap scenarios to understand predation and preservation.
- Geological Processes of Asphalt Seeps: This earth science course examines the formation of tar pits, hydrocarbon geology, and seismic activity in Southern California. Participants map the site, study sediment cores, and model asphalt's role in fossil entrapment.
- Family and Youth Fossil Hunter Programs: Designed for all ages, these interactive courses include junior paleontologist digs, storytelling sessions about Ice Age life, and craft activities like fossil rubbings. They emphasize fun, foundational science concepts to spark interest in careers in STEM.
- Advanced Research Seminars: For enthusiasts and professionals, sessions on taphonomy, radiometric dating, and comparative anatomy. Collaborations with university partners allow access to unpublished data and contribute to ongoing NHMLAC research projects.
Courses at this campus highlight the dynamic nature of scientific discovery, with opportunities to witness real-time excavations. Programs promote interdisciplinary learning, connecting paleontology to biology, geology, and anthropology. Accessibility features include guided audio tours and adaptive equipment for inclusive participation. By engaging directly with one of the world's richest fossil sites, learners gain profound insights into Earth's history, fostering a sense of wonder and responsibility toward paleontological heritage. Offerings evolve with new finds, ensuring cutting-edge content that educates and inspires across generations.
La Brea Tar Pits and George C. Page Museum Campus
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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