Part IV: Where’s the Chickenosaurus?

D. J. Kristoff • September 22, 2022

Since then, I check in on Jack Horner from time to time to see what he’s up to in the dinosaur world. Jack is now in his mid-seventies and still quite active. I learned that he’s been investigating the real possibility of bringing dinosaurs back to Earth, as suggested in the movie.

But, after many attempts, he’s discovered that you can’t clone dinosaurs with DNA from the blood of a mosquito preserved in amber. Apparently, he says, “All you get is a swarm of mosquitoes and maybe a few trees.” But you may be able to genetically engineer a chicken into a chickenosaurus. Imagine a chicken with teeth, a long tail, and three-fingered hands instead of wings, like a velociraptor or archaeopteryx. Now, that’s a chickenosaurus.

Chickens are dinosaurs. Did you know that? All birds are actually dinosaurs. Today, they are scientifically classified as avian dinosaurs. It’s the non-avian dinosaurs, the T. Rexes, Maiasaura, and stegosaurus-type dinosaurs, that went extinct sixty-five million years ago. So, next time you order chicken McNuggets, know that you are actually eating Dinosaur McNuggets.

My dinosaur digging experien ce inspired a new way of teaching , which I call “Learning through Adventure.” I recreated a dinosaur dig in my classroom with copy paper boxes, digging tools, and wooden dinosaur skeletons. With slides of my actual dig flashing on the classroom wall, I created an exciting atmosphere that engaged my students’ imagination and made learning an adventure.

So, come along with me now on a magical adventure, and together, let’s encourage our youth to strap on their hiking boots and inspire a JOY for learning through adventures in nature.

DOWNLOAD THREE FREE CHAPTERS

The exciting fantasized version of how my character, Diane, earns her nickname Dino Diane in a lost world of living dinosaurs. Your adventure awaits on the Home Page!   

Get a free copy of “Digging Dinosaurs” – a Discovery Activity created by D. J. Kristoff at DinoDianesAdventures.com

Part I: How I Earned the Nickname Dino Diane

By D. J. Kristoff • September 25, 2022
Imagine yourself standing on an eroding grassy hill, looking across a harsh landscape of rocky gullies. Shielding your eyes from the hot Montana sun, you swipe away the sweat slowly dripping down the side of your face as you reach down into the dust and the dirt, and suddenly, your fingers touch a hard object. […] The post Part I: How I Earned the Nickname Dino Diane appeared first on Dino Diane's Adventures.

Part II: Dinosaur Secrets Revealed

By D. J. Kristoff • September 24, 2022
So, what did I learn in those badlands in Montana? Well, growing up, dinosaurs were always portrayed as dim-witted, slow-moving loners. That was the prevailing view of them at the time. But, under a starry night sky, by the glow of a smoky campfire, we discussed Horner’s latest findings and theories. I learned that the […] The post Part II: Dinosaur Secrets Revealed appeared first on Dino Diane's Adventures.

Part III: Maiasaura – Good Mother Lizard

By D. J. Kristoff • September 23, 2022
The Maiasaura is the only female-named dinosaur to date. The name means “good mother lizard,” as she exhibited maternal instincts, like making nests and caring for her young. How does Horner know this? From the tiny eggshell fragments found in the FIRST dinosaur nests ever discovered containing fossilized baby dinosaurs, up to a month or […] The post Part III: Maiasaura – Good Mother Lizard appeared first on Dino Diane's Adventures.

How I Held a Thermometer in a Wild Bear’s Rectum

By D. J. Kristoff • September 21, 2022
So, I was just out of college teaching science in Arizona when a fellow teacher asked me if I would you like to go on a black bear research expedition with him that weekend. My eyes flew open and I took a big gulp of air. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I […] The post How I Held a Thermometer in a Wild Bear’s Rectum appeared first on Dino Diane's Adventures.