Instagram story viewer> @elevationscience> Posts

Elevation Science Institute for Natural History Exploration

@elevationscience

5.6K

followers

729

following

501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to paleontology, research, and hands-on science education, connecting people to discovery through science exploration.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Earth Science Week: Geologic Map Day!

Geologic maps are one of the most important tools in the geosciences. At Elevation Science, we are often asked: "how do you know where to find fossils?" The answer lies in geologic maps!

For example, geologic maps show the distribution and ages of rock units. Dinosaur fossils occur in the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous Periods, so we would look for rocks of those ages. The geologic map could show us potential spots to hunt for fossils!

If you'd like to explore activities and other uses for geologic maps, check these out: https://www.earthsciweek.org/get-involved/geologic-map-day/

#earthscienceweek #geology #geologicmap #education #science by @elevationscience

3

0

8 hours ago

Earth Science Week: Geoscience for Everyone!

Just as there are hundreds to thousands of different kinds of fossils, minerals, plants, animals... We are all different. But we share at least one thing: a love of science and nature.

One of the core tenets of our organization is making science welcoming to everyone, no matter where you're from or your background. We're proud to be able to say that we've had the opportunity to work with folks of all ages, many kinds of professions, and from all across the globe. We look forward to continuing to open our doors to EVERYONE, encouraging lifelong learners of all types as they trek along their journey to becoming scientists.

We love all of our friends, staff, interns, students, volunteers, and participants for unabashedly showing their passion for paleontology and natural history. Geoscience is for everyone, so keep it going!

For more, visit: https://www.earthsciweek.org/get-involved/geoscience-for-everyone/ by @elevationscience

3

0

a day ago

Happy National Fossil Day from the Paleo Lab! In case we’ve never met… my name is Katie Hunt and I am the Paleo Lab Manager for @elevationscience. I’ve been working with Elevation Science since November 2021, and we’ve been partnered with @cincymuseum to prepare fossils in their paleo lab for three years this month! Thanks to help from our volunteers, we just celebrated preparing 500 fossils in this lab!!

I wanted to make a post today to show some of the cool stuff we’ve been up to in the lab since last National Fossil Day! Swipe through to see some of we accomplished (and friends we saw along the way!) ➡️

This allosaurus femur was collected in 2025 at the SW-B site! The sandbox helps keep fossils upright while gluing them together. See the pink sand? It’s garnet! Super tiny grains and low-dust… much better than play sand!

Big! Field! Jackets! arrived from the 2025 field season!

Opening big field jackets is hard, dusty work!

Check out this geodized theropod bone!

Union Terminal looks beautiful in the snow! Did you know the paleo lab is in the Hall of Justice? That makes us superheroes, right??

Taaaadaaaaa! A spectacular project Katie prepared this past year!

Lab intern Brandan received a tour from Cameron in collections. Our first lab intern!

Tess visited to check out some skin collected at the Mother’s Day Site! Her sidekick Bucket supervises.

Field Season 2026 was a HUGE success! We collected several hundred new specimens and some of those are already being prepared in the lab! More big jackets… woohoo!

Is that a camarasaurus tooth we spy?

More theropod toes! Katie loves preparing fossils like these.

Speaking of toes… check out this delicious jacket full of sauropod toes Hannah C. discovered at the SW site this summer!

Air abrasion… Katie’s favorite lab tool! taken in Cincinnati Museum Center by @elevationscience

274

5

2 days ago

Earth Science Week: No Child Left Inside Day!

At Elevation Science, we are true believers in getting kids into nature early. While textbooks and classrooms are full of information, there is truly nothing like experiencing the world for yourself. Getting students outside sparks curiosity, a passion for nature, and even future scientists.

Ready to get out there and explore? Check out these fun activities, games, and guides:
https://www.neefusa.org/no-child-left-inside

#earthscienceweek #education #kidsinscience #nature #stem by @elevationscience

3

0

3 days ago

Earth Science Week: Minerals Day!

Minerals are a vital resource for not only humans, but all life on the planet. They are naturally-occurring, inorganic substances that have a specific chemical composition and internal structure.

Not only are they pretty to look at, but they're useful too. We use many kinds for technology, building, construction and roads, and a lot more. Many forms of life depend on minerals for survival, including us!

What's your favorite mineral? Tell us in the comments!

#earthscienceweek #minerals #geology #science #education by @elevationscience

3

0

4 days ago

Earth Sciences Week: Earthcache Day!

Earthcache is a type of geocache that you can visit to learn more about the local geology. It's like a treasure hunt happening all around you - in parks, forests, deserts, mountaintops, even underwater!

There are millions of geocaches around the world; some of them might even be near you right now! But how can you find them? You can navigate to the closest geocache near you by using the Geocache app, a GPS device, or a similar geocache app.

You can find out more about how to participate in EarthCache by visiting this page: https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=141&pgid=537 (link will also be in our stories)

#internationalearthcacheday #earthsciencesweek #geology #science #explore by @elevationscience

3

0

5 days ago

Good news - it's EARTH SCIENCE WEEK! 🎉

If you're new to Earth Science Week, you're in for a whole week of geoscience learning! This is a movement that takes place annually, to encourage the understanding and appreciation of our beloved planet. Not only do we learn more about Earth and its processes, but we also recognize the connections between those processes and our everyday lives.

Every year, scientists and lifelong learners across the globe take part in various Earth Science activities, ranging from in-person events to activities to live streams. This week, Elevation Science will be posting every day, covering the themes of each day. Come along with us and we learn more, together, about the cool things our planet has to offer! by @elevationscience

3

0

6 days ago

Happy Fossil Friday!

You've heard us talking about them, but what are winter jackets? Do they keep fossils warm when it gets cold out? Not...really? Let's turn it over to Field Technician Adam!

#fossilfriday #fossils #fieldwork #winter #paleontology by @elevationscience

3

3

7 days ago

We would LOVE to see AI go through what paleontologists go through in the field 😂

#paleontology #ai #fieldwork #science #stem taken in Montana by @elevationscience

3

3

8 days ago

Thanks so much to our friend Jinny Sisson for sponsoring a field jacket this year!

The Skyewalker Site has produced quite a few sauropod limb bones since its discovery in 2023, and this jacket is no exception! This jacket contains a limb bone from a young long-neck dinosaur from the Jurassic Period, making it roughly ~148 million years old. That limb bone will be prepped in the CMC Paleo Prep Lab and might help us identify who it belonged to! by @elevationscience

3

0

10 days ago

Happy World Teacher's Day!

One of our favorite moments: Teaching moments. Some of the best feelings we can have in the field or a classroom is watching that lightbulb go off in someone's head when they learn something new. The greatest part about that? We get to educate not only young minds just beginning their passion for natural history, but lifelong learners of all ages.

We also want to give a shout-out to all of the teachers we get to work with and all those who spend their days educating others. Your job is a difficult one, but one of the most vital. Thank you for all that you do to foster learning and curiosity!

#worldteachersday by @elevationscience

3

0

11 days ago

Welcome to "Jacket Palooza" with Elevation Science!

Jacket Palooza is a fun activity that we at Elevation Science have done many times throughout our summers. This is when our field paleontologists and participants have lots of dinosaur fossils to jacket and very little time, so we jacket them at the same time!

This obviously requires lots of hands and supplies, so the jackets are often placed close together and assigned to multiple people. With lots of plaster, water, burlap, jackets, and people... we get the job done!

#fossilfriday #jacket #fossils #dinosaurs #paleontology taken in Red Lodge, Montana by @elevationscience

3

0

14 days ago