First up was a creative Fossil Fun Day at Lowewood Museum, where families dropped in throughout the day to explore real fossils, get hands-on, and share their own geological finds.
Young Rockwatchers were able to handle fossils, learn how they formed millions of years ago, and even make their own plaster fossils to take home. Many children also brought along their own specimens for identification, sparking great conversations about where fossils come from and how to recognise them.
The perfect mix of curiosity and creativity – exactly what Rockwatch events are all about!
A Special Behind-the-Scenes Experience in Oxford
The following day, a group of Rockwatch members travelled to the magnificent Oxford University Museum of Natural History for a truly memorable visit.
The museum itself is spectacular, with towering dinosaur skeletons and fascinating displays beneath its beautiful Victorian glass roof. But the highlight of the day was something even more special – exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the museum’s collections.
Museum staff generously gave their time to show our group areas that are normally closed to the public, including the vertebrate, invertebrate, mineralogy and petrology collections.
Rockwatchers were able to:
- Handle real fossil and rock specimens
- Learn how scientists store and study museum collections
- See rare and unusual geological treasures
- Ask questions directly to the experts who work with the collections every day
It was inspiring to see how these collections help scientists understand the history of living and non-living things on Earth.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Geologists
For many young Rockwatchers, seeing fossils and rocks up close, and hearing the stories behind them, is what sparks a lifelong fascination with geology.
From giant dinosaur skeletons to tiny mineral specimens, these visits reminded us that museums are incredible places for discovery.
A huge thank you to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Lowewood Museum and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History for sharing their time, expertise and enthusiasm with us.
Their passion for fossils and geology made both visits truly memorable.
We can’t wait for our next Rockwatch adventure!
