Kids in the Gobi

I'm recording a workshop on dinosaur fossils that Bolor (Mongolian paleontologist) is doing with 32 children from four different towns (called “soums") in the Gobi Desert. This is a first for Mongolia. The country has an extremely rich dinosaur fossil record, but the kids here don't learn about any of it in school.

The kids in this workshop range from ages from 7 to 15. But they all look way younger than they actually are -- at least compared to the monster-sized children in Canada. I met an eight-year old girl today who looked about five. The children are beautiful. Skin browned from the Gobi sun, freckles and round faces. They smile at me eachtime I look their way. They are so excited to be part of the workshop and are participating 100 per cent. They’re very well-behaved, listening intently and doing exactly as they are told. I feel really lucky to be a part of all this.

Day One (September 7): The workshop is held in the classroom and the kids are getting a basic introduction to dinosaurs (many think dinosaurs had red eyes and breath fire). Bolor has brought Molly Ward with her to Mongolia from the Museum of the Rockies in Montana. Molly is an educator. We’re also sharing a “ger.” Molly helps everyday people (like these kids and me) understand the work scientists and researchers do. She helps make science simple.

Day Two (September 8): Field Trip! We went to a fossil locality and the kids ran wild on the sand dunes. Then they got to “prospect” for fossils.

Day Three (September 9): I helped Molly, Baska and Bolor make “mini-dig sites” for each kid. Basically, it’s sand (from the Gobi) and plaster mixed a put in a paper bowl. Then we hid one tiny fossil and a plastic dinosaur in the mixture. Now that it’s hardened, the kids have to “excavate” their mini-dig site using dental tools (for delicately scraping the plastic specimen) and toothbrushes (for sweeping). Once the workshop is over, the kids and teachers presented us with gifts (handmade, sheep-felt purses…with money in them!) and candy. Then we headed on a hike up a beautiful mountain where we spotted a mountain goat, a poisonous snake and 3000-year old rock paintings.