1518 1st Ave. N. Suite 2

Billings, MT. 59101 

Hours 

Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 5:00  Closed for lunch 11:30 to 1:00

Lab Tours 11:00 am & 3:00 pm.

Special Group tours by appointment only, call 696-5842

This is our new Dino Lab in Billings. The new Dino Lab offers multiple  stations for fossil prep.

Once dinosaur bones are excavated, what happens then? Most people don’t realize this is when the hard work really begins! Finding and excavating a dinosaur represents about 20% of the total time before the animal is ready to exhibit. Preparing the fossil in a controlled environment is extremely important before the specimen is ready for research.

This is where the Dino Lab comes in. It is the official repository for all specimens collected by the Judith River Dinosaur Institute (JRDI). The lab is about 3500 square feet of space with state-of-the art preparation equipment. Many people toured our previous lab facility in Malta, Montana and were so impressed. Equally, many scientists and preparators wished they had a facility such as that to work in. Well…the Dino Lab in Billings has eclipse all of that!

The Dino Lab opened in May of 2011. We has begun preparing fossils recovered by JRDI teams. In addition, we are offer educational tours for the public and schools in eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. It is our mission to showcase Montana’s rich prehistoric past.

2012 Fossil Preparation Courses:

In the past, JRDI participants have enjoyed “Lab Day”, a single day where they could relax and work on the fossils they helped find. Their feedback for more lab time inspired us to offer for the first time, a 4-day fossil preparation course in the off-season at the Dino Lab facilities here in Billings MT ! To our knowledge, we haven’t seen a program like this offered anywhere!

 Fossil Preparation 101

Dates: February 14th - 17th , 2012
           
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Course Objective: Fossil Preparation courses are rarely a part of college curricula today yet is an essential hands-on tool for curation and display of important scientific specimens whether vertebrate or invertebrate. This course is to provide that hands-on experience to lay people or professionals alike.

Note to Parents: If you have a child who wants to attend a course, we have hosted many middle and high school kids and these programs have produced over a dozen students who are now involved in paleontological careers. It is not necessary for a parent or guardian to attend. We’ve handled minors for years and have parent references upon request. However, minimum age for kids is 14. Sorry, we cannot make an exception no matter how mature the child due to insurance liability requirements.

Students will practice the following techniques:
Jacket removal
Purpose and use of consolidants and adhesives
Use of hand tools in preparation techniques
Mechanical matrix removal with rotaries and pneumatics
Microblasting and media use
Reconstruction techniques
Finishing for long term curation
Introduction to curation science

Course Length: 32 hours (4 days from Tuesday to Friday)

Facility: Dino Laboratories in Billings, Montana (students are responsible for travel to and from and lodging)

Course Fee: $895.00. Includes instruction and supplies. Students will prepare dinosaur bones from a scientifically important specimen, but will be allowed to prepare and keep small pieces not a part of the current project. Students may bring their own fossils to prepare as well.
Travel Details:
Destination: Billings, Montana. Participants fly into Logan International Airport (served by Delta, United, and Northwest Airlines) on the Monday before. Airfare, lodging and all travel expenses to and from Billings are the participant’s responsibility. Our group meets at the Boothill Inn (1-866-BOOTHIL) at 9:00 am on Tuesday.

For More Information on space availability and registration: please call 406-696-5843 or email us.