Currently, I’m in far north-central Montana (near the Canadian border) setting up camp for the field season. What does “setting up camp for the field season” entail, you ask? Well, keep reading for a run-down of pre-digging logistics and tasks.

To start, we don’t stay in hotels, motels, Airbnb’s, or cabins—I’ll spend the next four months sleeping in a tent. This is what ‘camp’ looks like when we first show up:

Hunter the Dinosaur Dog for scale.

First, I set up two large wall tents. These are large (10 x 10 ft) canvas tents that are made to survive the scorching summers, and the freezing winters. One is our supply tent, and the other is for cooking/food storage. 

Next, I set up the canopy where we will rest in a bit of shade at the end of each day digging in the sun (there will be picnic tables under here eventually). 

Hunter evaluates and tests the shade canopy.

The weather out West on the prairie is unpredictable at best, and windy days don’t make setting up large pieces of fabric easy. And if it rains, we have to get out of Dodge ASAP. Why? The roads. 

Here is an example of one of the good roads to camp: 

And, here is an example of one of the bad “roads”: 

These roads are made from a clay called bentonite. And if you just about spit on it, they become completely impassable. Imagine going down a slip and slide, but in your car. I’ve had to traverse these roads when wet many times, and never once was the truck pointed straight. 

But the neighbors are pretty cool. 

These are pronghorn antelope. And despite their name, they’re not related to antelope that live in Africa. Instead, they’re more closely related to giraffes. In fact, they are the very last living member of their group, and they evolved in North America during the “Ice Age” to out run American cheetahs that used to live here. 

And Miami might have iguanas, but out on the Montana prairie, we have horned toads. 

This is a horned toad, but again, don’t let their name fool you: they’re actually a lizard. A lizard that can survive 100°+ summers and -40°+ winters! 

After camp is finally set up—and I’ve moved a small mountain’s worth of gear into the tents—What’s next? Relaxing with a cold drink and watching Netflix? HA! Ice? That’s what we put in the cooler to keep our weeks’ worth of food cold. Electricity? Nope. The only power we have comes from a small generator that powers the coffee pot in the morning, and any necessary electrical devices we may need. But, what about water? We have a 200-gallon water tank we fill up in town. That means showers are short and cold, so you better hope it was a hot sunny day. 

And I know what y’all all are thinking. What’s the bathroom situation like? I’ll have you know, we have an outhouse! That I found in a junkyard… 

But all of this—these hardships and months-long lack of creature comforts—is what it takes to find dinosaurs. And without question, it’s the happiest I am all year. 

Now that I’ve talked you into joining us, you can sign up for a Digging Expedition program this summer. Click HERE for all of the information. 

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Guests who purchase admission to one participating institution can present their ticket or receipt at either of the others within three days of their initial visit to receive discounted admission, including $5 off general admission at Frost Science and $2 off admission at PAMM and the Freedom Tower.

The limited-time offer arrives as Miami prepares to welcome a global summer of sports, including FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, and encourages residents and visitors alike to explore Downtown Miami’s cultural destinations in a new way.

At Frost Science, guests can experience Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits, the museum’s newest special exhibition, open Saturday, May 16, through Monday, September 7, 2026. Developed and produced by Science North in partnership with the Ontario Science Centre, and sponsored by iFLY Miami, the interactive exhibition explores the science and technology behind some of the world’s most daring sports through hands-on challenges and immersive experiences.

The exhibition also features Science of Soccer, a Frost Science experience inspired by the excitement surrounding FIFA World Cup 2026 matches coming to Miami, where guests can test their skills and explore the physics behind the world’s most popular sport.

At PAMM, guests can explore Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture, an exhibition examining the relationship between athletic performance, contemporary art, and cultural identity. Meanwhile, at the Freedom Tower, visitors can experience the FIFA Museum’s Unidad: The World’s Game, which explores soccer’s ability to connect and inspire communities around the world.

The Score Savings offer is available during public operating hours and redeemable in person only. The promotion cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

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Upon opening the doors, students flooded into the Hsiao Family Special Exhibition Gallery to set up their STEM Challenge projects, their excitement and nervousness palpable. This year students tackled the use of emerging technologies, including AI, wearables, and sensors, with the goal of improving one of four different scientific fields: astronomy, health, marine science, or paleontology. Students also created models to display their ideas, from functional apps to large robotic cockroaches. 

Robo-Roach by Sophia Senghanh from Center for International Education, Winner of Best Individual Model

After students set up their projects, the Expo kicked off with a keynote address from former astronaut Nicole Stott. During her keynote address, Stott inspired students to pursue science and emphasized the collaborative nature of different scientific fields. After her keynote address, Stott answered student questions during a short Q&A before moving into the Expo to look at student projects. 

“What excites me the most is seeing young children of all ages taking on real world STEM Challenges and presenting their ideas in a way that brings it to life. Whether that project is actually going to be built or not, they’re thinking very much like crewmates on our planetary spaceship, trying to solve problems and considering the ways that they can be part of the solution,” said Stott.

While Stott looked around the Expo and talked with students, judges began to review student projects.  

Nicole Stott speaking with students from Shelton Academy about their project, the Reef Rover, an underwater robot designed to help restore damaged coral reefs.

The students had already passed one round of judging before being invited to the STEM Challenge Expo and, with three times the number of submissions from our inaugural STEM Challenge last year, making it to the STEM Challenge Expo was no easy feat. At the end of the day, judges deliberated and 31 students were awarded with college scholarships. These students were invited to an award ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, where they learned where they placed and celebrated with their peers, teachers, and families. Awarded scholarships range from 1– to 4–year University Plans through Florida Prepaid. 

Emily Ward and Tristan Milano, 1st Place STEM Challenge Group Project Winners

While this year’s STEM Challenge has ended, next year is already getting started! Next year’s STEM Challenge theme is all about “Sustainable Energy Generation and Use” and registration is already open! If your middle or high schoolers are interested in participating in next year’s STEM Challenge independently or as part of their school or class, register now to be kept up to date with all STEM Challenge information. 

                              Sponsored by:

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During Member Appreciation Month in May, we’ve got special programming and offers planned exclusively for you.

• All month long, members can bring one extra guest at no extra cost. This is in addition to the standard number of guests allowed by your membership level.
• Members will receive an exclusive 20% discount at the Science Store all month long! (some exclusions apply; discounts cannot be combined)
• All month long, Frost Science members of any level will be able to visit Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach at no extra cost for up to four (4) people. Members will need to present their Frost Science Member ID Card at the Cox Science Center box office to gain entry. Members also get to enjoy a complimentary planetarium show.
• Every Saturday and Sunday in May, stop by Food@Science, our onsite café, during your museum visit and receive a special complimentary treat courtesy of our friends at Constellation Culinary Group. (maximum of one per person and four per family; while supplies last)
• On Sunday, May 3, at 10:40 a.m., members will have access to an exclusive early screening of How to Die in Space: An Interactive Adventure Through the Cosmos in the Frost Planetarium. This is the first official in-house production from Frost Science Studios.
• On Friday, May 8, take advantage of an extended discount to join us for Laser Evening. Tickets will be just $10 for adult members and $8 for youth.
• Members will get an early look at our new special exhibition, Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits during our Members-Only Preview on Friday, May 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. To learn more and register, please click here. Members will also get a free gift with purchase at the Science Store during the Members-Only Preview.
• On Saturday, May 16, our Museum Volunteers for the Environment (MUVE) invites members to join a volunteer workday at Crandon Park as we help plant sea oats to reinforce the shoreline. To learn more and register, please click here.
• Members will have an exclusive opportunity on Friday, May 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to speak directly with our paleontology team as they show you the inner workings of the PaleoLab.

It’s been an amazing nine years at Frost Science and we are so grateful to have shared this journey alongside our members!

Remember: Members always receive free admission to the museum and a 10% discount at Food@Science and the Science Store throughout the year.

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Opening Friday, May 1, through Monday, May 4, the experience launches during a special weekend celebrating all things space in honor of National Space Day and May the Fourth.

A Planetarium Show Where You’re in Control

Inspired by the book by astrophysicist Dr. Paul M. Sutter, How to Survive in Space: An Interactive Adventure Through the Cosmos transforms the traditional planetarium experience into a choose-your-own-adventure journey. Guests take control of a space mission, making real-time decisions that determine their fate, often leading to unexpected, and often hilarious, outcomes. Blending humor and real science, the show explores cosmic hazards like black holes, supernovas, and rogue planets in a way that is both engaging and educational.

“This show flips the traditional planetarium experience on its head,” said Dr. Analisa Duran, Knight Vice President of Science Education at Frost Science. “By putting the audience in control, we’re making science more immersive, more entertaining, and more accessible.”

Introducing Frost Science Studios
How to Survive in Space marks the first release from Frost Science Studios, the museum’s new in-house initiative dedicated to producing original planetarium content for audiences in Miami and beyond. The show was developed in collaboration with Dr. Paul M. Sutter, bringing the ideas from his book to life in an immersive format.

An Immersive Experience

The production features a dynamic audio experience developed with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, including an original score by student composer Jacey Schell. Additional creative contributions from the University of Miami Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing enhance the visuals and overall experience inside the dome.

Opening Weekend and Beyond

During opening weekend, guests can take part in a Space Passport program, completing hands-on activities across the museum to collect stamps and earn a prize from the Science Store.

Opening weekend runs Friday, May 1, through Monday, May 4, with three showings daily. A special members-only show will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, with access available on a first-come, first-served basis by showing a member wristband at the planetarium entrance.

As part of the weekend’s celebration of all things space, the Frost Planetarium will also feature a special screening of National Geographic’s Wildest Weather in the Solar System on Saturday, May 2.

The show will be presented three times daily during opening weekend and will continue to be featured once daily in the Frost Planetarium thereafter.

Plan Your Visit

How to Survive in Space: An Interactive Adventure Through the Cosmos is included with museum admission. Reserve your spot during your visit to Frost Science and take control of the mission.

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One of the greatest dinosaur debates of the past 20 years or so centers around a dinosaur called Nanotyrannus (pronounced nan-o-tie-ran-us). Nanotyrannus lived 66 million years ago in the Hell Creek Formation alongside the famous dinosaurs Ankylosaurus (an-kye-low-sore-us), Pachycephalosaurus (pack-e-seff-ah-low-sore-us), Triceratops (try-sarah-tops), and Tyrannosaurus (tie-ran-oh-sore-us). In fact, Nanotyrannus was hypothesized to be closely related to Tyrannosaurus, and it was further hypothesized that in the Hell Creek Formation, there were species of large (Tyrannosaurus) and small (Nanotyrannus), closely related predatory dinosaurs stalking this ancient environment.

While there were some differences—like proportions of some of the bones and number of teeth, essentially the major and striking way to tell Tyrannosaurus and Nanotyrannus apart was that Nanotyrannus was much smaller. And then the scientific debate floodgates opened.

One group of scientists thought that Nanotyrannus was a legit and valid species, despite these slight differences. Let’s explore wolves and coyotes from Yellowstone National Park as an example. They both live there, are canids (members of the dog family), and other than size and a few proportional differences, it’s hard to tell the two apart. But another group of scientists proposed a radical idea: What if Nanotyrannus was just a ‘teenage’ Tyrannosaurus? Look at young animals today, they can have extreme and noticeably different proportions from the adults (for example, the big heads of human babies, the large paws of puppies, to the long, gangly legs of baby horses and cows). And in all our years of searching, we’d never found a young Tyrannosaurus—but there are several Nanotyrannus. And, when paleontologists cut open the bones to calculate their ages at death, all of the Tyrannosaurus sampled were basically 20 years and older, and all of the sampled Nanotyrannus were just in their teens.

I will admit, from the evidence put forth by both groups, I was team ‘Nanotyrannus = young T. rex’ for a long time. But now I’m not convinced. Even the group of scientists that believed that Nanotyrannus was a teen Tyrannosaurus said that it could be a sampling bias, maybe all the Nanotyrannus individuals they sampled legitimately happened to be teenagers. So, they proposed a simple solution: to find and irrefutably show a Nanotyrannus specimen that was as old as other Tyrannosaurus specimens when it died.

In 2025, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences published a study on a famous and hotly debated Nanotyrannus they had acquired, dubbed “The Dueling Dinosaurs.” Lying next to a largely complete Triceratops was an essentially complete skeleton of either a) a Nanotyrannus or b) a young Tyrannosaurus. So, here was basically a complete, intact skeleton that could be examined. That study found that this specimen was approximately 20 years old when it died, meaning it was as old as many other Tyrannosaurus specimens living alongside it.

There’s still a lot more scientific investigation that needs to happen, but based on these results, the research team used this as solid evidence to support that just like wolves and coyotes living together in Yellowstone, 66 million years ago, both Tyrannosaurus and Nanotyrannus were prowling around the ancient Hell Creek Formation.

The post Digging Deeper: The ‘Tiny Tyrant’? appeared first on Frost Science.

Florida residents, this one’s for you. Kids ages 4–11 can explore Frost Science for up to 50% OFF museum admission this spring. From towering sharks in the Aquarium to hands-on exhibitions across our Downtown Miami campus, there’s something around every corner to spark curiosity. Catch a live science demonstration, dive into interactive exhibits, and experience a Frost Planetarium show, all included with admission.

Offer Details:

• Valid April 1 – May 14, 2026
• Available for Florida residents only
• Valid for up to six guests per order
• Must show proof of Florida residency at the onsite Ticket Center
• Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts

One Explorer Ticket admission includes access to all museum exhibitions, aquarium and your choice of one Frost Planetarium show (based on availability). Tickets are valid during normal museum operating hours and do not apply to special events, Laser Evening shows, nightLAB, or any member programming. 

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By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be hitting the road to begin my seasonal drive westward to Montana. And before the start of the dig season, for the next two months I’ll be busy with science-education outreach events, a giant research trip, and more! So, this gives us a good opportunity to dive into some of 2026’s new paleontology research, and there’s probably no better place to start than Spinosaurus mirabilis. (pronunciation: Spinosaurus spy-no-sore us; mirabilis mirror-ah-ba-liss)

Spinosaurus was made famous as the villain in Jurassic Park III. With a long, crocodile-like snout, long arms with big claws, and a ~6 ft. tall sail on its back, Spinosaurus not only looked radically different from other top predatory dinosaurs (like Tyrannosaurus rex), it was also bigger (longer; T. rex was still heavier). The first fossils of Spinosaurus were discovered in Egypt in the early 1900s, but these fossils were unfortunately destroyed by Allied bombing during the Bombing of Munich during WWII. We won’t wade into the fray, but the short answer is EVERYTHING about Spinosaurus is contentious. Its size, its weight, the proportions and reconstruction of its skeleton, what it ate, how it fed, its lifestyle, and anything else you can possibly think of is the topic of heated debate.

So, a second species of this dinosaur surely couldn’t cause a fuss, right?

Though there’s not much of the skeleton, fortunately, there are lots of pieces from several individuals. From these pieces, the team of paleontologists that described S. mirabilis thinks it was about 15% smaller than the larger species of Spinosaurus (S. aegyptiacus; pronounced ah-jip-tah-kiss). But that’s not what makes S. mirabilis stand out. On top of its head between its eyes, S. mirabilis sported a ~20-inch-long curved crest.

So, why the crest?

There’s increasing evidence that the iconic sail of Spinosaurus was used for display, so, it’s likely that the head crest of S. mirabilis was an additional visual display. And if true, this further emphasizes how important visual signaling was to these animals. Imagine all of the flashy feathers that a male peacock uses to show off; so, like these display feathers, the sail – and crest – in Spinosaurus was likely for showing off (but a ~25 ft. long, ~5 ton, ‘peacock’ that could eat you). So, were these displays used to show off to potential mates? Or to ward off rivals? Both? Or something else? Whatever the reasons, such discoveries are further revealing how complex and fascinating the dinosaurs were.

The post Digging Deeper: Spinosaurus Crests appeared first on Frost Science.

Most summers our paleontology crew embarks on a quest to find and excavate dinosaur fossils. We’ve hunted for dinosaurs in the badlands of the American West, to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and even as far away as the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. And now we want to share that opportunity with you!

This summer, you can join our Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Dr. Cary Woodruff (me!), for a dinosaur dig in the badlands of Montana, though our newest program Digging Expeditions. Program participants will take part in a week-long experience using real tools, gaining valuable skills, and be a part of scientific discovery, excavating dinosaur fossils.

What can you expect as digging expeditions participant? Previously, in this area we’ve found a beautiful skull to a horned dinosaur called Chasmosaurus (pronounced kaz-mo-sore-us), a partial “mummy” hadrosaur (a “duck-billed” dino), a giant petrified tree, and many other cool and amazing fossils.

This summer, we’ll focus on an ankylosaur (ang-kai-low-sore) that we found at the very end of the 2023 digging season. Ankylosaurs were literally walking tanks. Their bodies were covered in bony armor (some even had bony eyelids!), and several had massive clubs on the ends of their tail. We don’t know yet what kind we’ve found, but hopefully we’ll find more bones from this animal and be able to identify what kind of ankylosaur it was.

If you’ve always wanted to dig up a dinosaur and learn first-hand from a paleontologist, contribute to science, and be immersed in hands-on field work, here’s your chance! Never done it before? No worries! Just bring your excitement and enthusiasm, and we’ll teach you the rest. Join our paleontologists as we make new and exciting discoveries together.

The post Digging Deeper: Dig Dinos? We do too. appeared first on Frost Science.

2025 was a memorable year for paleontology. Not just for incredible new dinosaurs described, but also for many amazing scientific discoveries. Here are just a few of my favorites:

The post Digging Deeper: 2025 Paleontology Wrapped appeared first on Frost Science.