Students wishing to learn about the biggest creatures to ever roam the earth can now do so by taking a trip to the Minnesota Science Museum. “Ultimate Dinosaurs” is a brand-new exhibit at the museum, featuring dinosaurs that evolved in the Southern Hemisphere.

Joe Imholte, Director of Special Exhibits and Public Programs at the museum said the exhibit is from outside the United States.

“The exhibition was originally produced by the Royal Ontario Museum located in Toronto, Ontario,” Imholte said.

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and its curator were the main promoters for the content of the exhibit. The exhibit is headed to museums all across North America after it leaves the science museum in August.

“The fabrication of this exhibit was all a team effort,” Imholte said. “Scientists right here in the Twin Cities helped with the production of this exhibit, including Kristi Curry-Rogers, the former Curator of Paleontology at the Science Museum of Minnesota.”

Additionally, science museum developers made the content of the exhibit more accessible, as well as added new experiences for visitors.

“Visitors have been wowed by the dinosaurs and have walked away knowing a bit more about the ancient past,” Imholte said.

Sophomore Totaram Brijmohan said the exhibit caught his interest and prompted him to view it multiple times.

“The exhibit makes me wonder how dinosaurs lived back then and it was fun to see some of the bones too,” Brijmohan said.

Not only does the exhibit showcase prehistoric attractions, it also provides visitors with a new understanding of the Earth’s history. Museum goers walk away with an understanding that the Earth is always changing and evolving.

“We’ve developed activities and interactive experiences that will engage all members of a family group,” Imholte said.

In addition to typical dinosaurs shown in movies, the exhibit emphasizes more dinosaurs from the southern hemisphere. According to Kim Ramsden, Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Minnesota Science Museum, the notorious Tyrannosaurus Rex, the tiny Eoraptor, Madagascar’s long-necked Rapetosaurus and South America’s daunting Giganotosaurus are only some of the dinosaurs featured.

“These dinosaurs are newly-discovered in the last 20 years and completely different from the ones in the movie, Jurassic Park,” Ramsden said.

What makes Ultimate Dinosaurs stand out from other exhibits is the 3D-like animation it features.

“It’s a new technology that layers virtual experiences over real environments to create three-dimensional, life-like visuals,” Ramsden said.

Imholte said he encourages people of all ages to experience everything the exhibit offers and to take advantage of the viewing opportunity while it is at the museum.

“The great thing about special exhibits is that each is unique,” he said. “It’s an exhibit that is truly engaging for all ages and audiences.”