Fossil Prep Methods - North Dakota (session 2)

Preparation Methods North Dakota introduces high school students to the fundamentals of professional fossil preparation and collections care, set against the fossil record of the Hell Creek region. This six-day program takes place at the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman, North Dakota, where students will work with instructor Dr. Emily Simpson to uncover how fossils move from discovery to museum display and research. This camp blends hands-on technical skill-building with a deeper understanding of the science that drives paleontological work. Participants will prepare real dinosaur fossils from the Hell Creek Formation under magnification, master the use of tools such as airscribes and dental picks, and learn about the specialized glues, consolidants, and safety practices essential to fossil conservation. Students will also clean and prepare their own fossil fish, experiment with fossil casting, and use scanning and 3D-printing technologies to explore how digital modeling transforms modern paleontology research and education.