Dinner with a Dinosaur VIII Highlights
All photos © M. Greer

Dinner with a Dinosaur VIII at Union Station

Project Exploration hosted its eighth annual benefit dinner on Friday, February 22, at Chicago’s Union Station to raise funds for their work to inspire youth with the wonders of science and discovery. Known for providing the public with access to authentic science and scientists through personalized and interactive programs, the evening’s cocktail hour featured student-run interactive science experiences and up-close and personal interaction with live reptiles. 
“This event embodies Project Exploration’s mission. It is a fun, science-filled evening that allows guests to experience the excitement of discovery, and puts our students at the center of it all,” said Gabrielle Lyon, Project Exploration’s Executive Director and Cofounder.

The spotlight continued to shine on the organization’s mission during the seated dinner as WGN news anchor Robert Jordan shared Project Exploration’s track record with guests:

• 96% graduate high school (compared with 47% of all Chicago Public School students);
• 61% enroll in a four-year college; and
• 34% of all students and 43% of girls who graduate high school as Project Exploration field alumni are majoring in science.

University of Chicago Paleontologist, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, and Project Exploration Cofounder Paul Sereno helped introduce guests to students in the organization’s programs.  Tommie Collins, an 11th grade student at the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Technical Charter High School shared his feelings on how his involvement in Project Exploration programs have impacted his life, and thanked Project Exploration supporters for helping minority youth get—and stay—interested in science.

Project Exploration Executive Director and Cofounder Gabrielle Lyon
with Compass Award honorees Philip and Marsha Dowd

Philip and Marsha Dowd were recognized with the Compass Award for guiding Project Exploration on a path to success. Speaking to the crowd of 400+, the Dowds shared with the audience how an interest in the science landscape in Chicago brought them to Project Exploration, but it is the organization’s track record of success with Chicago Public School students that keep them involved. 

Project Exploration Board Chair Elizabeth Coolidge with City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie D. Neely and her son Justin.

Board Vice Chair and Event Cochair Tony Shaneen, Gabrielle Lyon and Kim Jones.

Chairing Dinner with a Dinosaur was Julia Harris of Scott Balice Strategies and Project Exploration Vice Chair Anthony Shaneen, owner of OAS Software Corporation.  Sponsorship was provided by the National Geographic EducationFoundation, Motorola, Philip and Marsha Dowd, and The Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund. The event raised $300,000 to support programs for minority youth and girls, services for schools and teachers, public exhibits, and online initiatives.

Attendees bond with the skeleton and flesh model replicas of Nigersaurus, the bizarre-looking, long-necked plant-eating dinosaur discovered by Paul Sereno in 1997 and unveiled at National Geographic in Washington, D.C. this past November.

	Download the Dinner with a Dinosaur VIII Press Release (Adobe Acrobat Reader)
	Download the Dinner with a Dinosaur VIII Press Images
	See Photos and Order Prints from Dinner with a Dinosaur VIII on our Shutterfly web site.
	If you would like to make a donation to Project Exploration, please visit the Network For Good web site.

Sponsors:

Philip and Marsha Dowd	The Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund