SCAVENGER HUNT
OUTDOOR SCIENCE PARK
1. Describe the process that formed the petrified log located outside of the Museum.
The process occurs after a tree has fallen and is buried under sediment, such as sand, silt, or clay. This prevents
the decomposition of the wood that would occur if exposed to oxygen. Water carries minerals from the surrounding rocks into the tree, where they are deposited in the cells of the tree. For a tree to become petrified (i.e. fossilized) these minerals must replace the once-living cells before they decay.
2. Why is it important to use native plants when landscaping?
They are naturally adapted to our environment, which means that they are low maintenance. They require less water,
fertilizers, and pesticides. Native plants also support local wildlife (e.g. butterflies, birds, and honey bees).
ROSE HALL OF BIRDS
3. Which of the following animals is evidence for the evolutionary relationship between
dinosaurs and birds? (More than one choice is correct.)
a. Deinonychus
b. Archaeopteryx
c. Flexomornis
d. Quetzalcoatlus
e. A modern bird, such as a pelican
Correct answers are a, b, c, and e. The answer d. Quetzalcoatlus is not
correct because this animal is a pterosaur, a type of flying reptile. It is
neither a bird nor a dinosaur, but evolved from reptiles and makes up
a separate branch of the fossil family tree, distinct from birds and
dinosaurs.
4. Circle the letter next to the bird whose wingspan is closest to yours. Fill in the length of
each bird’s wingspan in the blank next to its name.
a. California condor
b. Osprey
c. Common gull
d. Mallard
e. Blue jay
f. Chimney swift
g. House sparrow
h. Calliope hummingbird
9 feet
__________
5 feet, 2 inches
__________
4 feet
__________
3 feet
__________
15 inches
__________
11.5 inches
__________
9.5 inches
__________
4.5 inches
__________
EXPANDING UNIVERSE HALL
5. How do we know what stars are made of?
A star produces an emission spectrum of radiation dependent on the elements that are in its atmosphere. Different elements, like hydrogen or helium, emit different wavelengths of light. A spectroscope can be used to view a
star’s spectrum in order to determine its composition.
6. Why isn’t Pluto classified as a planet?
A planet is defined by a body orbiting our sun, not orbiting another object (i.e. moon), and is massive enough to be
spherical and able to clear its orbit from other significant bodies (e.g. asteroids). Pluto falls into the dwarf planet
category because it is located in the Kuiper Belt, an area similar to the asteroid belt that is home to Kuiper Belt
Objects and other dwarf planets. It is also too small to generate enough gravitational force to clear debris from
around its orbit, which is another characteristic used to classify planets.
2
3
4
1
SCAVENGER HUNT
T. BOONE PICKENS LIFE THEN AND NOW HALL
7. What is the name of the largest animal to ever fly? How old is it? What is surprising about its weight?
Quetzalcoatlus northropi, Late Cretaceous, about 67-66 million years ago
Its weight was about that of a large adult human. The Quetzalcoatlus located in the Museum is a pterosaur, a type of
flying reptile. Another pterosaur that your students might be familiar with is Pterodactylus, often called “pterodactyl.”
Pterosaurs are an order, so these two animals are related in the same way that a lion and a wolf would be related,
because they are both in the order Carnivora.
8. What do paleontologists hypothesize headgear in dinosaurs was used for?
It is believed that headgear was used to attract mates and to establish status in the herd, just like many animals with
horns and antlers do today. The design and structure of the headgear leads many to believe that they were rarely
used as a weapon in battle.
TOM HUNT ENERGY HALL
9. What is the Barnett Shale and where is it located?
The Barnett Shale is a layer of sedimentary rock located around the DFW area that spans to about 21 counties. Much
of the sedimentary rock formed about 350 million years ago. Its depth can be from 5,000 to 9,000 feet and it is about
50 to 1,000 feet thick. This area holds some of the largest known quantities of natural gas in the continental U.S.
10. What are the different types of renewable energy currently available?
Hydroelectric energy, biomass energy, wind energy, solar thermal energy, ocean thermal energy, geothermal energy,
ocean tidal energy, ocean wave energy
LYDA HILL GEMS AND MINERALS HALL
11. Select a mineral that stands out to you. Draw a picture of it and make some observations.
Now select another mineral to draw a picture of and make some observations. How are the
two similar? How are they different?
Answers will vary.
12. What elements make up hematite?
The elements that make up hematite are Iron (Fe) and Oxygen (O).
THE REES-JONES FOUNDATION DYNAMIC EARTH HALL
3 billion
13. What was the global population in 1960? ___________________
What is the projected
9 billion
population for 2050? ___________________
14. Name at least two tools to determine the weather and what each tool is used for.
Barometer – Measures atmospheric pressure. A sudden drop in air pressure means that a storm is coming and strong wind is
approaching. Slowly rising pressure means that weather will be calm.
Hygrometer – Detects moisture and measures relative humidity, the amount of water vapor in the air. They help us predict if
the weather will be wet or dry.
Anemometer – Measures wind speed. A simple anemometer consists of cups mounted on horizontal spokes that spin when
the wind blows. The rate at which it revolves reveals the wind’s speed.
Weather Balloon – Carries instruments called radiosondes to very high altitudes. They measure humidity, atmospheric
pressure, temperature, and winds. When the balloon bursts, the instruments fall back to Earth by parachute.
Thermometer – Measures temperature. One of the simplest and oldest types uses mercury in a thin glass tube.
Mercury has the property of dramatically expanding and shrinking according to temperature changes.
2
4
SCAVENGER HUNT
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION HALL
15. When did Dr. Bruce Beutler win a Nobel Prize and what was it for?
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for discovering the receptor proteins that recognize disease-causing
agents and trigger the immune system to block infection. His discovery has led to a better understanding of how our
bodies fight disease.
16. What are two electrical components that can be used in circuits and what role does
each play?
Power supplies – In a circuit, electrical current flows out from a power source and back again.
Wires – Most electric circuits use wires made of copper. Copper is a conductor with low resistance. This allows current to
easily flow through it.
Incandescent lamp – Electricity flowing through an incandescent lamp heats a tiny wire, called a filament, to make it glow. A
dim bulb means current in the circuit is low. Strong current makes the bulb burn brightly.
LEDs – Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) turn electricity directly into light rather than using it to heat a filament as in a standard
incandescent bulb. This makes LEDs more energy efficient and cooler to the touch.
AC motor – This motor works on AC power only. The current must alternate within a narrow range of frequencies in order for
the motor to run.
DC motor – This motor works on DC power only. If the current changes direction, the motor will change direction, too.
Switches – A switch opens or closes to stop or start the flow of current. When you turn the switch on, two metal contacts
click together, creating a path for current to flow through the switch.
Diodes – Diodes conduct electricity in one direction only. You can use diodes to change AC (alternating current) to DC (direct
current).
Resistors – Resistors are components that have a specific resistance that reduces the current, or flow of electricity, through
a circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms.
Capacitors – Capacitors store and release electricity. Engineers use them to block direct current, pass alternating current,
and smooth out power pulses.
Transformers – Transformers either increase or decrease voltage in an AC circuit.
Solenoids – A solenoid is a coil wire wound in the shape of a cylinder. Electricity flowing through the solenoid’s coil creates a
magnetic field that attracts and moves an iron core, operating a valve or a switch. For example, a solenoid opens and closes
the automatic lock on a car door.
Diode bridge – The diode bridge uses four diodes to turn alternating current into pulsating current. Adding a capacitor
smooths out the pulses to produce smooth-flowing DC power.
BEING HUMAN HALL
17. Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Our ancestors had larger jaws and more teeth than we do. This was useful for them since their diet consisted primarily of
tough roots and raw meat. As cooking developed, our diets grew softer and required much less chewing. As a result, our jaws
shrank, leaving no room for the third molars, or “wisdom teeth.”
18. Fill in the projected life expectancy for the two years below. How many years has the life
expectancy grown between those two dates?
1900
2007
Life expectancy growth
between 1900 and 2007
47.3 years or 47 years
__________
77.9 years or 78 years
__________
30.6
years or 31 years
__________
3
4
SCAVENGER HUNT
DISCOVERING LIFE HALL
19. Why have Malaysian leopard numbers changed from half spotted/half black 100 years ago to
almost all black today?
Long ago, a genetic mutation resulted in a few all-black leopards. Because the camouflage gave them an advantage in
surprising prey (they live in dense, shady forests), more all-black leopards survived and reproduced, passing along the
genetic traits to produce more all-black leopards.
20. In which ecoregion is the Perot Museum located, and how did this region get its name?
The Blackland Prairie gets its name from the region’s rich, dark, loamy soil. These soils consistently shrink, swell, and
shift. The ongoing change impacts water drainage and provides habitats for diverse plants. Historically, there were
nearly 12 million acres of Blackland Prairie. With overgrazing by livestock and increased agricultural development, only
1% of the original prairie is left today.
LAMAR HUNT FAMILY SPORTS HALL
21. What is one of the most common knee injuries, and why would an MRI be recommended if
someone had one?
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear is the most common knee injury and usually is a non-contact injury. They
often happen when a quick stop is combined with a change in direction while running, pivoting, or landing. An MRI can
show many of the characteristics of these tears, including location, shape, length, and depth.
22. In which length of race could a human possibly beat a cheetah and why?
a. 100 yard dash
b. 400 yard run
c. 800 yard run
Cheetahs have a lightweight body, large lungs and heart, and a flexible springlike spine to help make them the fastest
animals on land. But they can only run about 600 yards before they need to rest. Humans can run much greater
distances. Long springy tendons in our feet and legs store and release energy with each step, while sweat glands keep
our bodies from overheating.
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
23. What is one new thing you learned today?
Answers will vary.
24. What is something that surprised you?
Answers will vary.
25. What is one new question that you have?
Answers will vary.
perotmuseum.org
4