GEOL 240 The Dinosaurs (4 hours) 
Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or permission of instructor

This field course covers the dinosaurs' taxonomic relationships, environment, and fossil record. It includes extensive training in field methods of vertebrate paleontology and participation in the dinosaur research project. It is taught for four weeks in Wyoming. A field fee is required to cover the cost of transportation, room, and board. The class includes three lectures and one lab. It is only offered in the summer.

The Bulletin 2017-2018 Southwestern Adventist University 

Eligible students include: 

• Recent high school graduates 
• Southwestern Adventist University students 
• Current students at other colleges and universities 
• Persons who have earned college or university credit in the past 
• Anyone with a college or university degree 

If you are already a Southwestern Adventist University student, you must submit a project student application and register with your advisor for GEOL 240. 

If you are not a Southwestern Adventist University student, you must submit both a project student application and a university application to Southwestern Adventist University. 

EDSC 545 Dinosaurs for Teachers (4 hours) 
Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or permission of instructor
 
This class is designed for teachers who need science credit for an advanced degree in education. The content covered includes developing a working knowledge of geology, consideration of all of the major dinosaur groups, a detailed understanding of the Upper Cretaceous fauna of the Lance Formation, issues in each science and origins, and acquiring "hands-on" experience in how science works. Lab work will include learning excavation techniques for fossils, excavating dinosaur bones from quarry sites, and contributing to the on-going scientific investigation of the taphonomy of dinosaurs. The class is taught in Wyoming during the month of June. The class includes two lectures and two labs. 

The Graduate Bulletin 2017-2018 Southwestern Adventist University 

Eligible students include: 

• Anyone with a college or university baccalaureate degree 

You will need to submit both a graduate project application and a university application to Southwestern Adventist University. 

The Project welcomes all interested participants to join in this exciting work from a day up to the full four weeks! 

You can also join the course program, consisting of a balance of instruction in technique, practical experience in excavating fossil dinosaur remains, an overview of dinosaur life, and general science concepts and principles. 

The Dinosaur Project is not a children's dino dig. However, children are welcome to observe and perform limited supervised work. We expect all children to be accompanied on-site by their parent, guardian, relative, or another adult who is responsible for them. 

Generally, children that are not yet in high school do not have the maturity and attention span to work successfully in the quarries for an extended length of time or independently for any length of time. It is a distraction to other participants and potentially dangerous to the children if they are permitted to be in the quarry or camp areas without constant and direct supervision. All children must be supervised by a parent, guardian, or another adult. This implies that a parent of these children should not expect to devote 100 percent of his or her time working with the bones. 

Because of the nature of the scientific work, the same protocols for handling the bones and safety rules must apply to all participants. If, in the opinion of the quarry supervisor and/or the project directors, any child or adult is not following the needs of careful, safe work, then the child or adult may be asked to leave the quarry. In the case of a child, the parent will be required to watch the child. 

It is not only the time spent excavating fossils that are of concern. The group in the field spends considerable time together in and out of the quarries. It is vital that everyone cooperates and carries out all assigned responsibilities, including chores, adherence to the camp rules and guidelines, especially observance of quiet times. Not adhering to safety rules, such as not wearing eye protection in the quarries, cannot be tolerated. 

We have also found by experience that an extended time in the field is not appropriate for children. We limit the Dinosaur Mini-course to three or four days for specific reasons, including the time-on-site, and these participants are closely supervised by more experienced workers. We allow credit to be earned only for high school seniors with appropriate academic backgrounds, which involves working for the full season. 

It is important to understand that a person's chronological age is not necessarily the best criterion. We have had a few early teen participants perform better than some university students. Some of the important attributes are maturity, interest, attention span, desire, responsibility, willingness to pay attention to instruction, and the ability to learn quickly and follow guidelines. However, if you are considering bringing children, then understand that the Dinosaur Project is not an appropriate extended "summer camp" for most participants below the age of a high school senior. 

While a few days living in the camp and working in quarries might be a wonderful enriching experience that a child will remember fondly, too much of a good thing often has a deleterious effect! This is especially true if noncooperation leads to reprimand or limits for a lengthy time period. Under these circumstances the normally enjoyable season may become a negative experience for the children, the parents, and the other participants. 

In summary, carefully consider these guidelines: 

• Children must be accompanied on-site by a parent or guardian. 
• A parent must closely supervise children in and out of the quarry. 
• Parent(s) should not expect to spend all their time working independently. 
• Time on-site is limited to a week or less. 
• This experience is best for children who have expressed a real interest, can follow instructions, and cooperate with guidelines. 

We have established an upper age limit of 12 for the group we classify as children. We expect that all children will be accompanied on-site by their parents, guardians, relatives, or another adult who is responsible for them and supervises them. We also have guidelines that limit the total number of days a child might normally spend on the project. In view of the limited participation of children, we have reduced the amount we charge. We wish to encourage families! 

College students, generally 18 or older, should not need parental supervision and are expected to contribute fully to the project's activities. High school students who have finished their junior year in high school may earn college credit. These students also participate without parental supervision regardless of age. High school students who have finished their sophomore year in high school may earn college credit; however, they must be accompanied by a supervising adult. We require that certain minimum criteria be met for all high school students. 

The minors that are 13 through 17 and not earning college credit fall in the middle of the two well-defined groups. They should not be treated as children but may or may not be suited to an extended stay without adult supervision from a parent, guardian, or responsible relative. 

Each year we have offered a Dinosaur Mini-course for middle and high school students. The course runs for three or four days, and the group of minors is closely supervised by teachers and adults from their school, as well as experienced college students and adults. Our experience suggests that many minors do not have the maturity and attention span of working successfully in the quarries for an extended length of time or independently for any length of time. They may not have had the experience of living in a group without supervision. 

Because of the nature of the scientific work, the same protocols for handling the bones and safety rules must apply to all participants. If in the opinion of the quarry supervisor and/or the project directors, any participant, child, minor, or adult, is not following the needs of careful safe work, then he or she may be asked to leave the quarry. In the case of a child, the parent will be required to watch the child. The project leaders and quarry supervisors have their own responsibilities and cannot closely supervise minors, children, or adults for an extended time. 

It is not only the time spent excavating fossils that is of concern. The group in the field spends considerable time together in and out of the quarries. It is vital that everyone cooperates and carries out all assigned responsibilities, including chores and adherence to the camp rules and guidelines, including observance of quiet times. Not adhering to safety rules, such as not wearing eye protection in the quarries, cannot be tolerated. 

It is important to understand that a person's chronological age is not necessarily the best criterion. We have had a few early teen participants perform better than some university students. Some important attributes are maturity, interest, attention span, desire, responsibility, willingness to pay attention to instruction, and the ability to learn quickly and follow guidelines. 

While a few days living in the camp and working in quarries might be a wonderful enriching experience that any person will remember fondly, too much of a good thing often has a deleterious effect! This is especially true if noncooperation leads to reprimand or limits for a lengthy time period. Under these circumstances, the normally enjoyable season may become a negative experience for the person, the parents, and the other participants. 

In summary, carefully consider these guidelines: 

• Minors are generally to be accompanied on-site by a parent or responsible adult.
• Minors are to be supervised both inside and outside of the quarry by a responsible adult. 
• The best experience may be from a limited time in camp—perhaps only a week or two for a minor. 
• The best success comes from a participant who has expressed real interest and can follow instructions and cooperate with guidelines.
• Exceptions are considered after some experience and knowledge is gained—a minor that has shown responsibility in a previous season.