Denver Museum of Nature & Science

John O'Donnell's vision to honor his mother's legacy and passion for education has come to life with the creation of the Ann O'Donnell Endowment for Outreach and Education.

Inspired by Ann's early career as a teacher and her impact at Dora Moore Elementary School in Denver, this endowment is a testament to her commitment to empowering students through science education.

From the whiteboard in the Museum's basement to a lasting legacy, the Ann O'Donnell Endowment is designed to support hands-on science education experiences for K–12 students, bridging the gap for rural and underserved communities for generations to come.

Join us in continuing Ann's legacy of exploration and discovery by supporting the Ann O'Donnell Endowment today: https://dmns.mobi/annodonnelldmns

Ann O’Donnell Endowment for Outreach and Education Imagine it’s a Monday. A colorfully wrapped box bursting with imaginative, hands-on activities and specimens from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science collections arrives at Fraser Valley Elementary School. This will be an extraordinary week for second- and third-graders at the school! Guided by ...

Experience the ultimate G.O.A.T. — Greatest of All Tyrants — as it roars to life on the giant screen in the film "T. REX." For over a century, the T. rex has reigned as the undisputed king of the dinosaurs. With state-of-the-art CGI and cutting-edge paleontological insights, this movie offers an unprecedented journey into the world of the T. rex and its fellow Cretaceous carnivores. This movie features scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science unearthing Teen Rex, a teenage T. rex fossil now on display in our temporary experience “Discovering Teen Rex.” https://dmns.mobi/trex3D

Join us on Wednesday, June 26 to discover the stirring story behind Ken Hall’s Legacy sculpture—a life-sized killer whale skeleton meticulously carved from reclaimed cedar. This masterpiece is a highlight of the "Orcas: Our Shared Future " exhibition at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Join us for an enlightening conversation between artist Ken Hall and Chris Patrello, Assistant Curator of Anthropology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Enjoy an exclusive glimpse into Ken’s creative process and engage with us in a profound discussion about his dedication to sharing his nature-focused artistic vision with the world. He and Chris will explore how Ken’s art connects to the themes of "Orcas: Our Shared Future,” including the complexities of our vulnerable ocean ecosystems, orca culture and biology, and the deep and ongoing relationships between orcas and various Indigenous communities. https://secure1.dmns.org/meet-the-orcas-artist-ken-hall-legacy

Cannibalistic dinosaurs? Although there are many modern animals that eat members of their own species, Majungasaurus crenatissimus is the first dinosaur to be a confirmed cannibal. We find Majungasaurus tooth marks on other Majungasaurus bones at several different sites from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar, and the patterns tell us they were scraping the bone for flesh. Modern animals often turn to cannibalism when there is competition for resources like space, food, or mates. Why do you think Majungasauruses were eating each other? Comment below!

It’s been a roaring day for ! We enlisted the help of Jessin and Liam’s older sister, Emalynn (age 14) to capture some pictures from the opening — check out some of her amazing shots! 🦖

❗ New Discovery Alert ❗🔬

A newly discovered teen T. Rex is now on display at the Museum in our brand new exhibition, "Discovering Teen Rex." This incredible fossil was found by three young explorers: nine-year-old Liam Fisher, 12-year-old Jessin Fisher and 11-year-old Kaiden Madsen. During a fossil-hunting adventure, they came across large bones weathering out of a sedimentary rock formation. See how this spectacular specimen made it from the Badlands near Marmarth, North Dakota to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in our blog from . https://bit.ly/3V3Ef3T

Thank you to Chevron Colorado for sponsoring “Discovering Teen Rex.”

Join us at the Museum today for Free Day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to celebrate Juneteenth!

Imagine a dinosaur that only comes up to your knee. Now imagine a few short months later, it’s taller than your head! This is how fast Rapetosaurus krausei, a long-necked titanosaurian sauropod from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar, would have grown. We know that Rapetosaurus started out super small, less than 10kg estimated weight based on the smallest fossils we’ve found. But we also know they grew to be the largest land animal on Madagascar at the time, weighing in at approximately 16 tons, and 40 ft long! Paleontologists like Kristi Curry Rogers, Zoe Kulik, and Meghan Whitney have used thin slices of Rapetosaurus bones to try to understand how this dinosaur went from so small to so big!

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Museum on Wednesday, June 19! The event will feature resources and access to community partners in science and STEAM, fun and engaging activities for the whole family and more. Admission is FREE from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. https://bit.ly/4cjt9Pd

☠️ "The Power of Poison" is NOW OPEN! ☠️ Whether used as a defense against predators, a source of magical strength or a lifesaving medical treatment, "The Power of Poison” is sure to surprise you at every turn. dmns.mobi/powerofpoisondmns

We're bringing a bit of poison to Denver starting tomorrow, June 14. Explore the captivating and often paradoxical world of nature’s toxic arsenal in “The Power of Poison."

Learn about the many plants and animals living deep in the Colombian forest that use poison as a vital tool for defense and survival. Find out how studying poison’s effects on human cells can help scientists figure out how to protect, repair and heal our own bodies and improve our health. Whether used as a defense against predators, a source of magical strength or a lifesaving medical treatment, "The Power of Poison” is sure to surprise you at every turn! dmns.mobi/powerofpoisondmns

🌊 SPLASH 🌊 It's a Summer Flash Sale!

For a limited time, all members and guests can enjoy 20% off any "Orcas: Our Shared Future" admission ticket. Sale runs until June 24; no code is needed. We'll see you there!

Get your tickets: https://bit.ly/3VErY7n

Summer Flash Sale! Enjoy 20% "Orcas: Our Shared Future"

Join us on Wednesday, June 26 to discover the stirring story behind Ken Hall’s Legacy sculpture—a life-sized killer whale skeleton meticulously carved from reclaimed cedar. This masterpiece is a highlight of the " Orcas: Our Shared Future " exhibition at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Join us for an enlightening conversation between artist Ken Hall and Chris Patrello, Assistant Curator of Anthropology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Enjoy an exclusive glimpse into Ken’s creative process and engage with us in a profound discussion about his dedication to sharing his nature-focused artistic vision with the world. He and Chris will explore how Ken’s art connects to the themes of "Orcas: Our Shared Future,” including the complexities of our vulnerable ocean ecosystems, orca culture and biology, and the deep and ongoing relationships between orcas and various Indigenous communities. https://secure1.dmns.org/meet-the-orcas-artist-ken-hall-legacy

How can we determine the age of the ? The scientists used a few different tricks to figure out how old the Teen Rex was when it died. First, they measured the leg bone and compared it to full-grown T. rex leg bones. Since the Teen Rex's was shorter, they could tell it was still growing and just a teenager. They also plan to study the bone up close under a microscope.

Finding a teenage T. rex is really exciting because most other T. rex fossils are from adults. Studying this Teen Rex lets scientists see what T. rexes were like when they were quickly growing into the massive, fierce dinosaurs we picture. It helps show how they changed from youngsters into ferocious hunters.

Meet the Teen Rex up close in our newest exhibition, "Discovering Teen Rex," opening at the Museum June 21. dmns.mobi/teenrexdmns

*Illustration by Andrey Atuchin

Does this resemble an unfinished puzzle to you? Paleontologists cannot always decipher body parts from one another when they have been worn, weathered, and buried for millions of years. CT scans allow us to see the parts that are still encased within the rock and digitally reconstruct the pieces. We now know these parts belong to Masiakasaurus knopfleri, a 67 million-year-old theropod dinosaur from Madagascar with gnarly lower front teeth. This feature is otherwise unknown among other predatory dinosaurs. What could these special teeth possibly be used for? Tell us your ideas below!

❗ WARNING: poison has once again been detected in Denver. 🧪🍎

Explore the captivating and often paradoxical world of nature’s toxic arsenal in “The Power of Poison," opening June 14 at the Museum. Through live performances and interactive dioramas, this spellbinding exhibition will take you into familiar and novel tales of illness, enchantment and death by poison. dmns.mobi/powerofpoisondmns

Just how big was ? 🦖

The Teen Rex was huge - around 25 feet long. By studying its bones, Museum scientists estimate the actual dinosaur weighed around 3,500 pounds when it was alive millions of years ago.

By comparison, adult T. rexes were estimated to be around 40 feet long and as heavy as four rhinos. 🦏🦏🦏🦏 Our scientists will keep studying the fossils to learn more about this amazing juvenile. Stay tuned for more!

Discovery Alert 💡🔬❗

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is thrilled to announce the remarkable discovery of a teenage T. rex fossil— affectionately named “Teen Rex” — in our limited-time experience, "Discovering Teen Rex," opening June 21. What started as a family hike by two young brothers, their dad and cousin in North Dakota, turned into a remarkable moment for science as only a handful of juvenile T. rex skeletons have ever been found worldwide. Learn more on our blog . https://bit.ly/3V3Ef3T

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Museum on Wednesday, June 19! The event will feature resources and access to community partners in science and STEAM, fun and engaging activities for the whole family and more. Admission is FREE from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. dmns.org/juneteenth

Check out this huge extinct horned frog! Beelzebufo ampinga, or the armored devil toad, is a 67 million-year-old carnivore from Madagascar. With a maximum length of almost 17 inches and a biteforce comparable to that of a tiger, this huge sit-and-wait ambush predator ate anything it could catch. This would have included insects, small mammals and, possibly, hatching dinosaurs. What modern animal would you want to see a giant version of? Comment below!

On Monday, June 10 come and meet one of the leading marine biologists and (human) stars of "Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D!" We have the distinct opportunity to learn more from Dr. Diane Gendron, a renowned marine biologist specializing in blue whales. Dr. Diane Gendron studies cetacean ecology at the Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR), the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico. During 30 continuous years of research in the Gulf of California Diane has meticulously built the world’s most comprehensive, individual-specific blue whale database, identifying over 700 blue whales.

"Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D" takes viewers on a journey of a lifetime to explore the world of the magnificent blue whale, a species rebounding from the brink of extinction. Following two scientific expeditions—one to find a missing population of blues off the exotic Seychelles Islands, the other to chronicle whale families in Mexico’s stunning Gulf of California—the film is an inspirational story that transforms our understanding of the largest animal ever to have lived. https://bit.ly/4aDleuO

Volunteers create a lasting impact on the success of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The tireless commitment of all of our volunteers helps make the Museum one of the most highly regarded natural history institutions in the country. Be a part of our volunteer community and help us inspire our community’s passion for nature & science. https://dmns.mobi/volunteeratDMNS

Join us for SCFD Free Night on Tuesday, June 4 from 5-9 p.m.! No need to reserve your Free Night ticket ahead of time online. Walk up and gain access to the Wildlife Halls or our permanent exhibitions. A separate ticket is required if you'd like to visit "Orcas: Our Shared Future," the planetarium or our brand-new Infinity Theater. dmns.mobi/2024freedays

is back! Join us on Thursday, June 20 for an unforgettable night at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's Prom for All. Whether reliving our prom memories or experiencing it for the first time, this evening is all about celebrating you – every identity, every look, every incredible thing that makes you, YOU! Let's glam up and make memories together. https://bit.ly/3X4afrq

Esteemed Diné weaver Lynda Teller Pete, alongside Avenir Center Textile Conservator Kathleen Martin, have been working to rejoin the front and back panels of a traditional Diné woman’s Biil Ééʼ (dress). Non-native dealers often separated these garments to sell pieces of them individually. Join us on June 5 for an evening program in which Lynda Teller Pete and Kathleen Martin discuss the intricate process of rejoining such significant garments, providing a rare glimpse into the cultural necessity of restoring them to their original, unified form. https://bit.ly/4bqKi9w

¡Ven y conoce a uno de los principales biólogos marinos y estrellas (humanas) de Ballenas Azules: El Retorno de los Gigantes 3D! Tenemos la oportunidad de aprender más de la Dra. Diane Gendron, una renombrada bióloga marina especializada en ballenas azules.

La Dra. Diane Gendron estudia la ecología de los cetáceos en el Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR), del Instituto Politécnico Nacional en México. Durante 30 años continuos de investigación en el Golfo de California, Diane ha construido meticulosamente la base de datos más completa del mundo sobre ballenas azules específicas de individuos, identificando más de 700 ballenas azules.

Ballenas Azules: El Regreso de los Gigantes 3D lleva a los espectadores en un viaje en el mar para explorar el mundo de la magnífica ballena azul, una especie que se está recuperando del borde de la extinción. Siguiendo dos expediciones científicas —una para encontrar una población perdida de ballenas azules en las exóticas Islas Seychelles, la otra para documentar familias de ballenas en el impresionante Golfo de California de México—, la película es una historia inspiradora que nos hace comprender mejor al animal más grande que jamás haya existido. https://bit.ly/4bUDUHL

Ballenas Azules: El Retorno de los Gigantes 3D – Una Noche con Dra. Diane June 11, 2024 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Explore the captivating and often paradoxical world of nature’s toxic arsenal in “The Power of Poison,” our newest temporary exhibition opening June 14. Through live performances and interactive dioramas, this spellbinding exhibition will take you into familiar and novel tales of illness, enchantment and death by poison.

Learn about the many plants and animals living deep in the Colombian forest that use poison as a vital tool for defense and survival. Find out how studying poison’s effects on human cells can help scientists figure out how to protect, repair and heal our own bodies and improve our health. Whether used as a defense against predators, a source of magical strength or a lifesaving medical treatment, "The Power of Poison” is sure to surprise you at every turn! dmns.mobi/powerofpoisondmns