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| Saint Louis Science Center 5050 Oakland Avenue 314-289-4400 or 1-800-456-7572 "For all the news that is Saint Louis, Saint Louis Front Page." |
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by Betty Moore, SLFP.com ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), November 4, 2009 - While walking through the rotating doors at the Saint Louis Science Center's Exploradome, visitors are blasted with air, followed by the unmistakable spine-tingling roar of dinosaurs. It's all part of Dinosaurs Unearthed, the biggest exhibition of its kind ever to visit St. Louis. More than 20 life-sized dinosaurs, some animatronic, and some of the first feathered fossils and models are displayed in very realistic, prehistoric habitats. A towering Triceratops, similar to a modern day rhinoceros, slowly opens its eyes and roars at vistors passing in front of an exact representation of a dig site at the Oriental Palace of the Dinosaurs found in Zigong, China. Parents and teachers may want to explain to their young children that these dinosaurs are not real before actually entering the exhibition. It may still take a few minutes and some reassurance to comprehend the idea that the handcarved, life-sized models with life-like motions and menancing eyes are just replicas. New technology uses electronics instead of hydraulics to create some of the most life-like motions possible with animatronics. Visitors have an opportunity to actually take control of the movements of eight animatronic dinosaurs such as a baby Stegosaurus, Baryonyx, Parasaurolophus and an Allosaurus. Five life-size skeletons are also on displayed in lush tropical foilage settings, including a towering 62-foot long Omeisaurus bathed in a deep blue light. Throughout the exhibition, bones and footprints are displayed in glass cases, along with in depth information pertaining to each fossil. The exhibition also explores new scientific theory that many dinosaurs were actually covered in feathers. Some of the replicas, including the unusual looking Gigantoraptor, have thousands of down-like feathers placed by hand to illustrate this new paleontology theory. Bright red, green, blue and purple lights add mysterious details to the glisening reptile-like skin and features of the dinosaurs. Look closely at the bone crushing teeth of the Tyrannosaurus rex and it's not hard to imagine the King of the Tyrant Lizards as an efficient killing machine. But beyond the entertaining theatrics of Dinosaurs Unearthed, it's quite an exciting and educational experience to step back in prehistoric time at the Exploradome. Half-price tickets for Science Center Members are $6.25 for adults and $5.25 for children. Tickets for Non-Members are $12.50 for adults and $10.50 for children. Call 314-286-4634 for more information on on discounts for groups of 10 or more.
Hours: Monday - Thursday & Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Planetarium closes at 4:30 p.m. on Friday) Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee to the Science Center. However, there is a nominal charge for shows in the OMNIMAX® Theater, the Planetarium and some traveling exhibitions in the Exploradome. For more information, call 314-289-4400 or 1-800-456-7572.   
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