Wooster Geologists at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Mark Wilson February 21st, 2010
CLEVELAND, OHIO–Yesterday the Wooster Geology Club, under the able direction of Dr. Meagen Pollock, visited the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for a behind-the-scenes geological (and, it turned out, biological) tour. The weather was fantastic for the drive north as we broke free from the snowy confines of campus. We were met by Dr. David Saja, the CMNH mineralogy curator, and Dr. Joe Hannibal, the CMNH invertebrate paleontology curator. The public galleries were crowded with families since it was “Scout Day”, so we were happy to be plucked from the long entrance line and taken to the quiet laboratories downstairs. Dr. Saja and Dr. Hannibal spent hours with us showing the collections and equipment, and we came away with new ideas for collaborative research, student opportunities, and our own specimen displays. It was a delightful day.
Dr. Saja showing us the CMNH mineralogy collections and research facilities.
Dr. Hannibal discussing the beautiful skeleton of a Devonian fish from the Cleveland Shale.
Geology Club president Rob Lydell tests the reaction speed of a Devonian Dunkleosteus fish. Very slow, it turns out.
The irrepressible Dr. Hannibal reveals a secret fossil reconstruction. (Oh no -- now he must publish it!)