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Da Vinci just celebrated our tenth anniversary serving gifted children and their families in Alameda, and this is our second year of the very popular Paleontology Society. As part of Da Vinci Foundation, our nonprofit, we have our own paleontology museum with a vast array of fossils, gems, bones, dinosaur tracks, minerals and more (like our own huge woolly mammoth bones, tooth, and part of a tusk – tyrannosaurus rex teeth, megalodon teeth and so much more!).Our vision is to inspire gifted children to explore precious real world fossils and associated artifacts that they normally could not touch or examine under a microscope or in their own hands at a museum. We teach gifted kids to use the utmost care for these one of a kind, delicate fossils and help them pursue their passions in the many fields related to paleontology (see our career month). They also meet and spend time with other gifted kids with similar interests as they study the living past.The society includes the study of a particular theme each month. Students in small groups engage in various types of learning and activities (such as microscope study, field journals, measurements and mathematical calculations, extensive taxonomy) and they are also given a fossil or other item each month to help them build their own private collections. We have guest speakers, and fun whole group activities. There is a tax deductible contribution of $250 per month for a ten months; the society meets the fourth Tuesday of each month unless otherwise indicated on the calendar. The society gatherings include dinner for kids, all materials, a gift each month, instruction and care from 4:30 – 7:30 pm, and use of our special museum library. Most of our instructors have PhDs and are able to take kids very deeply into the subjects being studied.We are looking for gifted kids with a high interest/deep curiosity in paleontology, a willingness to engage in in-depth study, and an ability to self-regulate enough to handle priceless fossils and other items responsibly.2019/2020 Calendar and Monthly Themes:September 24th, 2019The Cave Bear and The Giant SlothWith a focus on the miocene epoch we will explore the cave bear and giant sloth.October 29th, 2019BirthstonesWe will explore the history and origin of birthstones and each student will examine his or her own stone.November 26, 2019Palontology CareersWould you like to be an ichnologist? We will explore the many fields and careers related to paleontology like micropaleontologist, paleoanthropologist, taphonomist, vertebrate and invertebrate palynologist, paleoecologist, ichnologist and paleobotanist.December 17th, 2019 (due to holidays, our December meeting will be on the third Tuesday of the month)Paleobotany - Land Based PlantsSince the Ordovician period 450 million years ago there have been highly diverse plants added to the fossil record world wide. We will examine fossil pine cones, leaves, ferns, flowers, stems, petrified wood and more from the US and from different countries.January 28, 2020Tyrannosaurus RexWe will review the evolving scientific views about trex and examine how paleontologists make their determinations based upon their finds.February 25, 2020New DiscoveriesA relative of T-Rex that walked on one toe? We will examine some of the amazing new fossil discoveries around the world.March 24, 2020CrystalsHow are crystals formed and what is their chemical composition? How are they used around the world?April 28, 2020BirdsWhat IS the difference between a pteranadon and a pterodactyl?May 26, 2020Under the OceanCrinoids, belemnites, cephalopods, coral, ammonites, shrimp, oysters, and… the Mosasaur!June 30, 2020Trip to Capitola to Search for FossilsThis will be a day trip with times determined by the low tide, and parent drivers are needed! Kids have the opportunity to find and keep their own fossils at this impressive miocene formation.If you are interested in having your child join, please complete the Paleontology Society contract on our website and submit with the first month’s or yearly fee. Minimum enrollment: 5 students Maximum enrollment: 30 students. The first meeting will be Tuesday, September 24th at Da Vinci Center, 2050 Lincoln Avenue, Alameda, 94501. ................
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