Summer may be winding down, but there was still plenty of excitement on the lawn of the Mineral County Library in Superior as kids gathered for one more afternoon of learning, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

The fossil class was making its final appearance after visiting several rural communities over the past five weeks. The traveling program is offered through SpectrUM Science and brings hands-on science activities to children throughout western Montana. 

“The kids have really enjoyed it. They want to learn about dinosaurs and fossils,” said Juhi Singh, Lead Outreach Educator with SpectrUM. “And they usually ask how old the bones are or how did we find them.” 

“When we tell them that fossils are not just from dinosaurs, as they can be from any animal, human or plant, they are usually very surprised by that.”

The youngsters were especially interested in the collection of replica claws, teeth and other dinosaur-related items spread across the SpectrUM Science display table. 

“We found out that one is from the Utahraptor and this one is from the Velociraptor,” explained Arizona Duff as she showed the students the replicas. 

Then she held up a blue plastic model about the size of a medium summer squash. 

“And do you know what this is? Do you have any idea?” she asked the inquisitive audience. 

It was a replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex brain. 

Duff, a Program Coordinator for SpectrUM, recently joined the organization after earning her master’s degree from the University of Montana. She helps with camps and various after-school programs and is learning the ropes of taking the hands-on classes into local communities with assistance from Singh. The fossil program was more than just another class for the kids. It was an opportunity to ask questions, handle replicas and discover that science can be a whole lot of fun.

And, with summer coming to an end, the Mineral County Library decided to add a little extra fun to the occasion. “Every time they offer, we say yes,” said Florence Evans with the Mineral County Library, referring to SpectrUM Discovery classes that tour western Montana. 

This was the third and final SpectrUM class held in Mineral County this summer, so the library made it a little more festive by serving free hot dogs and beverages on its lawn at 301 Second Avenue East in Superior. Parents and children gathered together, visiting with friends and enjoying one of those special late summer afternoons when nobody seemed in much of a hurry to go home.

For the kids, there were dinosaurs, fossils and plenty of questions. For the parents, it was a chance to visit with neighbors and watch their children have a good time. It was a fitting way to bring the summer’s series of activities to a close with a little learning, a lot of smiles and one more chance for Mineral County families to enjoy the summer together before the school bells ring again. 

The Mineral County Library also has branches in Alberton and St. Regis. Information about upcoming programs and events can be found at mineralcountylibrary.org.

Reid Stenberg will be 2 next month and was a participant in making fossils last Wednesday on the Library Lawn in Superior. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

This was the third time that the University of Montana Spectrum Discovery visited Mineral County this summer with previous classes of making terrariums and then students made aquatic insects the fish in the Clark Fork River dine on. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Juhi Singh, Lead Outreach Educator with SpectrUM, assists student interested in making their own fossil to take home. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)

Latex gloves were distributed to the fossil-making kids as the substance was gooey. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)