The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center becomes a Jurassic-era habitat

The dinosaurs featured are: Tyrannosaurus Rex (2) Brachiosaurus Dilophosaurus Parasaurolophus Triceratops Stegosaurus Apatosaurus Deinonychus (2) Tupuxuara Sinopterus D inosaurs' last roamed the earth 65 million years ago and were thought to be extinct, until the recent "re-discovery" of several species at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Downtown Mobile.

Twelve life-size, animatronic dinosaurs have invaded the outdoor courtyard at the "re-named" REX-ploreum, and already, thousands of patrons have poured in to see the science center's latest traveling exhibit, called Dinosaurs Downtown. The courtyard has been transformed into a Jurassic-era habitat filled with vegetation and water, and it features dinos that move, roar and spit to the delight of children and adults.

"It's affordable, family entertainment at its best," says Hela Sheth, marketing and public relations director for the science center. "Young children, teens, adults and seniors all have been awe-struck by the dinosaurs."

The traveling dino exhibit is owned by Billings Productions, Inc. and has toured several larger markets including San Diego and Detroit. The Exploreum is the exhibit's first science center venue.

The Ciba Lab, a fully functional science laboratory, features one of the Deinonychuses with its robotic guts exposed to educate visitors on the construction and operation of animatronic displays.

"The dinosaurs work on an air pressure system," said Melissa Dean, programming director. "A compressor and dryer supply air through a series of hoses, and cylinders are located in the dinosaurs at specific locations that give them their movements."

"Dinosaurs are cool!" said Noah Johnson, a 6-year-old visiting the exhibit with his parents. Johnson is a first-grader at Meadowlake Elementary in Mobile.

In conjunction with Dinosaurs Downtown exhibit, the J.D. Bedsole IMAX Dome Theater is showing a 40-minute film entitled, “Dinosaurs Alive.” The film, narrated by Michael Douglas, follows paleontologists as they explore some of the greatest dinosaurs fossil finds in history.

Opening weekend attendance for Dinosaurs Downtown set a new record for an opening at the Exploreum. More than 4,000 patrons attended the exhibit during the three-day period.

Dinosaurs Downtown will run now through April 25. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance at Exploreum.com.

DINOSAURS DOWNTOWN

Jan 16 – Apr 25, 2010
Exhibit Only Tickets
Adult - $14.00
Youth/Senior - $12.50
Child - $12.00
Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday Noon - 5:00 pm
(251) 208-6873
65 Government Street
Downtown Mobile