Intro/Context sentences about understanding extinction in the 19th century with things like sabertooths, etc.
Describe the first time you encountered a fossil, a dinosaur, or something else extinct.
“When I was little I was pretty much obsessed with dinosaurs. I’d see them everywhere back then. On TV, and as toys. We often rented educational dinosaur videos (often hosted by Gary Owens).” (Brendan)
“Jurassic Park reminds me of dinosaurs that are extinct seeing all the cool dinosaurs as a kid was unbelievable at the time to me.” (Christian)
“My earliest memory of a dinosaur would have to be from a picture book I used to have as a kid. It was my brother’s book and he was fascinated by these reptilian creatures I haven’t heard of before. The book showed dinosaurs of different era/speriods of time and illustrations of the species of dinosaurs. Also “Land Before Time” is very nostalgic.” (Elaine)
“My earliest memory would be at the North Museum from where I live. I don’t remember an exact species, but I remember going there on a field trip as a kid. I thought the fossils were awesome as a kid. Jurassic Park.” (Greg)
“One of my earliest memories of dinosaurs/extinct animals would have to be a children’s movie. I think it was either Ice Age or Night at the Museum. I remember first seeing Wooly Mammoths in Ice Age. I visited the Museum of Natural History in New York because I loved the movie so much.” (Jack)
“My first memory of watching a dinosaur was on TV. So, basicaly cartoons about it, shows and movies, and later on learning about them in school as a kid. Similarly with dragons, a flying animal which can blow out fire from his mouth was pretty attractive to me.” (Nauma)
“My first memory of a dinosaur or other extinct animals was through dragon tales, even though it had to do with dragons, it was the first time I had really thought about extinct animals. I also learned about them through elementary school and learned about mammoths, sabertooth cats and other extinct animals through the movie Ice Age.” (Rachel)
“When I was younger we went to a national park that had a museum full of fossils and museum recreations of extinct animals. It was a little intimidating because a lot of the animals were unfamiliar and looked scary to a younger person.” (Rebecca)
“In Disney World when I was young, there was a sandpit where you could dig up dinosaur bones and other fossils.” (Stephen)
To share your answer, e-mail mabelr@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or tell us below.