The USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum is participating in a program called Skype a Scientist. Curator of Paleontology, Dr. Josh Lively took time to speak with Castle Country Radio about the program and how groups can arrange a virtual meeting with a paleontologist.
“I recently signed up for it. Its an opportunity for anyone around the world to set up a skype meeting with a scientist – this is mostly geared towards educators. You can get connected with scientists of your choosing whether it’s a paleontologist like me, archeologist like our director Tim, or a biologist in some other part of the world. It’s a way for you to connect your students, connect your classroom, with a scientist,” stated Dr. Lively. This is wonderful program that will not only highlight the scientists at USU-Eastern Prehistoric Museum but the museum itself. For more information about the Skype a Scientist visit their website at https://www.skypeascientist.com/
The pandemic has had individuals come up with different ways to connect with the technology we have. In fact, Dr. Lively was able to lecture a group called the Utah Friends of Paleontology through technology. “That group we will be re-starting our own local chapter here in the coming year, once we can begin meeting after the pandemic. But that group is based out of Salt Lake City, they’ve been able to bring in researchers virtually from all over the country, thanks to these new technologies. Really not new technologies, but these new ways of using the technology we already had, to video conference in, it’s definitely been normalized,” explained Dr. Lively. He feels as though this is a great way to reach out to individuals/groups to educate them on the various topics related to the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum.
It’s very common during the springtime that many groups will stop by the museum for a tour, if for some reason you are unable to bring your group into the museum, they are willing to do something virtually to accommodate your group. “If your organization has restrictions due to the pandemic, where you can’t travel here to Price to visit us in person, reach out to me. There are ways either through Zoom, or Google Hangouts, or Skype that I would be happy to meet with your group, give you a tour through the museum, and maybe do a questions and answer session with a paleontologist,” stated Dr. Lively. To get in contact with Dr. Lively call the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum at (435) 613-5060 or by email at josh.lively@usu.edu