Meet the Delegates: Chuck M. 11th grade, John Hope College Preparatory High School ON ASSIGNMENT: How It Felt to Be the First to See Nigersaurus and What I Discovered Nigersaurus is the first dinosaur of its kind. All of its teeth are in a row like a vacuum, not in a semi-circle like humans and many other animals. In the fossilized skeleton (which was paper thin!) scientists found hundreds of teeth lined up on top of the teeth that they used for eating. The teeth that were visible to the eye were replaced every month. Personally, I think that’s miraculous, seeing how our own teeth grow in twice. The Nigersaurus skeleton is about 75% complete. The [undiscovered fossils] are made from casts and molds of similar fossils.

Chuck examines a cast of Nigersaurus’ braincase. Photo M. E. Perez

November 14, 2007, was the first time ANYONE saw the Nigersaurus skeleton completed. I am very thankful to be among the first to see this amazing dinosaur. I also admire Tyler Keillor for making Nigersaurus seem so life-like. Because of him, we are able to see a dead and decayed bunch of bones (as most people would see them) be portrayed as a gorgeous, ageless creation of God. And because of Project Exploration, I, a middle class student from CPS, was chosen to represent Chicago Public Schools, and ultimately Chicago youth as a whole. I would have never had this opportunity like this by myself. Thank you, Project Exploration.

REFLECTIONS OF A DELEGATE

11/12/07
What are your goals for yourself during this unveiling?
On this delegation, I want to tell the world that teenagers are interested in science, too. Usually when you think about scientists or science in general, you think about some old guy spitting facts to a bored audience. Well, I want to change that. I want to prove that science can be fun, too. You don’t have to just sit in classrooms and take three-hour lectures. Become interactive. Hopefully, more teens will see the light of science and want to be a part of it.

11/14/07
I told my friend that I was going to the unveiling of a new dinosaur species and she asked, “Why should I care?” What should I tell her?
The unveiling of Nigersaurus is very important. I say that it is important because it is the embodiment of a person’s dreams and hard work. It has been almost ten years since Paul Sereno first saw the fossils in Niger, Africa. I can only imagine the blood, sweat, and tears that it took to bring his imagination to life. He has been very persistent with the upbringing of this amazing dinosaur, and I think he should be respected for his endurance. That is like you placing your whole life in a project and someone tells you “Why should I care about this?” Would that be fair to you and all that you did to achieve what you wanted? Of course not.

11/15/07 I used to think…But now I know… I used to think that Nigersaurus was just another fossil that Paul Sereno found, only to be jacketed and placed in a warehouse. Now I know that Nigersaurus is a key part in changing what we think about dinosaurs, as well as brightening the road of evolution. 11/15/07 The most valuable thing from this experience that I will take with me back to Chicago is… The most valuable part of this experience was being able to see the Nigersaurus fully assembled before anyone else. That feeling alone made my whole trip worthwhile. Not to say that going to and exploring the Air and Space Museum, visiting the Capitol building, the press conference, the CritterCam tour, etc. was not fun, but it did not make me feel as special. [When I first saw Nigersaurus] I was literally in the room with only the very people that constructed Nigersaurus, the rest of the delegates, and VIPs. Actually, this whole experience has made me feel unique, and I will have to thank Project Exploration. I will always be thankful.

Chuck writes down the questions he has about Nigersaurus at the Nigersaurus Delegation pre-trip training. Photo M. E. Perez

The Nigersaurus Delegates get their first look
at the completed skeleton of Nigersaurus.
Photo K. Atman

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