Natural History
Name one of the LIVING animals that can be found in the Natural History Hall.
Fish, coral, turtles, snakes (bull snake and hognose snake)
Name one type of transportation that can be found in the Human History Hall. There are many!
Dog sled, train, canoe, red river cart, motorcycle, truck, tractor, horse wagons and airplane!
I am a helpful tool you have been using all week! I hold all your questions and ideas. What am I?
Your journals!
Name one of the tools that palaeontologists, Katherine and Christina use while cleaning fossils!
A toothbrush, paint brush or even a dentist pick!
I look like a plant, but I'm a bug! I move very slowly so I can hide. Who am I?
A leaf or stick insect!
True or False: Dinosaurs and Ice Age Mammals lived in the same time period.
False! Dinosaurs lived before Ice Age Mammals for millions of years. Ice Age Mammals only died out roughly 13,000 years ago.
What is one of the main Indigenous communities featured in the 'What Makes Us Strong' Gallery? While there are many overall, these are the five groups that have the largest population in the province of Alberta.
Cree, Blackfoot, Dene, Nakota Sioux and Metis.
You used these types of shoes to create a descriptive writing piece. Each shoe had different beadwork patterns, thread or other decorations that makes them unique. What is the name of this type of shoe?
Moccasins!
Julia brought a dress worn at Fort Edmonton to share with us during the Human Library program. What was the special event this dress was made for? (And then worn afterwards too!)
A wedding! That dress was a woman's wedding dress.
I am a hairy type of spider that people are often afraid of, but you could hurt me far more than I could hurt you! What spider am I?
Tarantula!
As far as Ice Age mammals go, I am the biggest! My flat, bumpy teeth helped me to eat many grasses when I was alive. Who am I?
Mammoth!
True or False, trading was happening between Indigenous communities long before Europeans arrived to start the 'Canadian Fur Trade.'
True! For thousands of years Indigenous communities traded between nations over long stretches of land. They shared hunting techniques, formed alliances and traded for goods they needed or wanted.
Conservation staff have been working on this BIG taxidermy mammal because he had paint on his skin! This animal is the closest relative today to the mammoths of the Ice Age. Who is it?
Gyro the Asian Elephant!
We learned a lot about Palaeontology this week! From the mammoth station, what was one of the mammoth adaptations we discovered they had to help them survive?
Fur to keep warm, tusks for defense or snow clearing, trunks for drinking and eating, small ears and tails to keep safe from cold weather, a large size for protection against predators and big flat teeth to eat grass!
What is the behind-the-scenes area called that cares for all the bug babies! We went there on Monday and got to see the baby scorpion, tarantula and vinegaroon. (Hint: think of what an egg does)
The Hatchery!
Nick told us more about the Northern Pike today. What is one thing about the pike that makes it a great hunter?
1. Sharp teeth!
2. They are ambush predators. They will stay very still until it's time to hunt.
3. Fast swimmers!
Name TWO of the trade goods we discussed in the Fur Trade area of Human History that would have been regularly traded for animals furs.
Weapons (muskets, gunpowder, axes/knives) glass beads for artwork, metal pots, kettles and cups, wool blankets and tea/medicine.
What is the type of museum work that involves staff learning more about collection objects through books, observations and tests and then communicating what they find to others? Sometimes, staff use microscopes or other technology to do this work.
Research!
Name TWO of the three adaptations/special facts that Nick shared with us about the Horned Lizard today!
1. Horned lizards are amazing at hiding - they do not cast a shadow.
2. Females can birth as many as 33 babies!
3. They can shoot blood out of their eyes to scare off predators!
What is the special word used to describe when an animal uses the colour of its body to hide in its environment?
Camouflage!
When I lived, I could outrun the Albertosaurus if I had a head start because of my strong leg muscles and tendons. I lived in a herd, which also helped me to stay safe. What dinosaur am I?
Edmontosaurus! Or duck-bill dinosaur.
I was carved out the hardest quartzite rock and look like a sleeping bison on the prairies. I'm very special to many Indigenous community members. What is one of the gifts people bring me in the Human History Hall?
The Bison Rib Stone is brought tobacco/tobacco ties, braided sweet grass, sage, colourful ribbon or fabric or cigarettes (for the tobacco inside.)
I am sacred (very important) to many Cree and Blackfoot peoples. I came to Earth a long time ago, and some call me 'the boy who fell from the sky.' Who am I?
Manitou Asiniy or Creator's Stone. (I will also accept an explanation that Manitou Asiniy is a meteorite.)
Coral shared two special pieces of clothing with us with beautiful beadwork details. One of the pieces was being made by Coral! Can you share what that piece of clothing is called?
A shawl. The shawl covers a woman's shoulders.
Lisa brought out the Giant African Millipede to share with you! This animal eats rotting plant and animal matter. What is the special name that describes animals and plants who can do this?
A decomposer!