"Dinosaur Romance" that children and adults can enjoy together

What is the difference between a dinosaur museum and a regular museum?

Okayama University of Science "Dinosaur Museum" established in 2018.
In addition to the specimens, the exhibition emphasizes the process from excavation surveys to research in Mongolia's Gobi Desert.
In April 2020, the main exhibition room was renewed, and it seems that the ingenuity of the exhibition has been refined.
We asked Director Ishigaki what the difference is between the Dinosaur Museum and a regular museum.

Director Ishigaki:
As a type of museum, it is a “university museum” and is a facility for research and student study, but it is open to the public.
There are storage rooms and laboratories, as well as exhibits of specimens used as teaching materials. We also present our research results.
The most distinctive feature that distinguishes it from other museums related to dinosaurs is that "the state of research is currently open to the public in a progressive form."
That's why I named it "Dinosaur Museum" instead of "Dinosaur Museum".
It was nine years ago that the dinosaur course was established at our school, and the number of specimens has continued to increase.
In order to display large specimens, we expanded the exhibition to empty rooms, halls, corridors, libraries, and connecting corridors.
In addition, in order to exhibit the repository itself and the daily life of our own research, we are making use of the research work scenes of students and faculty members.
The display is designed so that you can see inside the glass-enclosed storage room, and we are proud of this fine ingenuity.

What are the research results and exhibits that can only be found here?

As soon as you step inside, you'll find specimens like those in a large-scale museum crammed into glass cases.
The display panels show the state of excavation sites and replicas of fossils buried in the soil.
I think that it is a highlight unique to the dinosaur museum that "the state of research is currently open to the public in progress".
For example, are there any "exhibitions that can only be found here" among these exhibitions?

Director Ishigaki:
The joint excavation site that the university is working on is Mongolia's Gobi Desert.
The actual fossils are from Mongolia, and the museum will borrow them and return them after the research is completed, but we will display elaborate replicas.
Therefore, there are many specimens found only in Mongolia and here in the world.
For example, children of Tarbosaurus, juvenile Protoceratops, Gobihadros, Nomingia, Gobivenator, etc., are only available in this museum outside of Mongolia.

“Importance of research background” communicated through exhibits

At the Dinosaur Museum, not only specimens are exhibited, but also ice axes that were actually used for fossil collection, life-size bone exhibits, etc.
I felt that the exhibits conveyed the importance of research backgrounds.
Please tell us what you are conscious of when exhibiting.

Director Ishigaki:
I believe that it is important to convey not only the results of research, but also the process of producing them.
The "strength" of this museum is that there are people doing research and you can see their work from a close distance.
And it is that there are many students.
Exhibits and activities that make use of this strength will be very unique and profound.
In the exhibits of this museum, I want to convey the background behind them, the breath of scientists, and such things.
The research process and background are just as important as communicating the research results.
The word “gaku” in the Dinosaur Museum has such thoughts.

Future Prospects for Dinosaur Museums

Some of the exhibits also have a corner where you can touch and learn about actual fossils.
As you can see in the photo, I was impressed by the exhibition that makes it easy to understand the process of tooth growth in carnivorous dinosaurs.
I felt that the great attraction of the Dinosaur Museum is that it is not just about looking around, but that it is intentionally interspersed with experiential exhibits.
What lies ahead of this kind of "exhibition that communicates" and "devise ways to help people understand the background of their research"?

Director Ishigaki:
What we want to build is "University of Science Dinosaur Science". Okayama University of Science originally has various specialties.
There are many professors doing interesting and wonderful research.
If we can connect what these professors are doing with dinosaurs and proceed with research together, we will be able to develop in an unprecedented direction.
For example, a biochemistry teacher and I researched "DNA" and "proteins" left in fossils, and a robotics teacher and a footprint researcher worked together to study how dinosaurs walked.
A physical chemistry teacher investigates the composition of rocks and finds the age of strata.
As a catchphrase, I have the feeling that "Let's challenge dinosaurs at all science universities!"
With its multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach to dinosaurs, Okayama University of Science is becoming one of the bases for dinosaur research in Japan.

Dinosaur romance that more people want to know

At the Dinosaur Museum, a project called "Bura-Ridai" has recently started, which involves exhibitions scattered throughout the campus.
There is a QR code with explanations for each spot, so there is no doubt that even those without prior knowledge can enjoy it.
What impressed me the most after visiting the Dinosaur Museum was the discovery that "there was such a luxurious place for learning in Okayama City."
There are many exhibits that can only be found here in Japan, and I would like many people to experience the romance of dinosaurs.
This place is especially recommended for those who are looking for the “essence of learning” while sightseeing.
In order to appreciate the exhibition from corner to corner, I felt that I would like to take my time and go around slowly.

Director Ishigaki:
The museum is free to enter, so please come visit us again and again.
Some people may feel that the word “university” is too intimidating, but if you are interested, please feel free to come and join us.
I think it's easy to go around in about an hour and a half to go around all.
Not only dinosaur enthusiasts and experts, but also school groups, families with small children, etc., are enjoying surprisingly many people.
Please take a look at the site where you are looking for the romance of dinosaur research.