Delta College donates fossils, mural to World of Wonders
Delta College’s Clever Planetarium is no more. However, two dinosaur skulls from its Earth Science Center fossil collection and its Earth’s crust mural display have found a new home at the World of Wonders Science Museum.
“The fossil displays and reproductions were prominently featured at the Clever Planetarium for decades,” said Dr. Matt Wetstein, assistant superintendent and vice president of Delta College. “It’s my hope that these exhibits will spark the imagination of students, fans of geology, archaeology, and patrons of the WOW Museum for years to come.”
Delta’s board of trustees approved the donation at their June 20 meeting.
The fossil donations feature a full-size replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, serrated incisors and all.
In addition, the museum will receive the skull of Deinosuchus, an extinct relative of the alligator that lived 80 million years ago. The ancient gator grew up to 40 feet and weighed 9 tons, and may have been able to take down a T. rex, according to paleontologists.
“Both the T. Rex and Deinosuchus skulls will be displayed on the museum’s exhibit floor for visitors to enjoy,” said Nick Gray, education director at the World of Wonders. “The WOW Museum is grateful Delta College has given us the opportunity to breathe new life into these displays.”
The dinosaur skulls aren’t the only displays being donated. Other donations include a large, wall-mounted ceramic relief mural of the Earth’s crust called “Genesis.” The mural once wrapped around the Clever Planetarium lobby wall, where visitors were encouraged to touch its features.
Stockton artist Charlene Lauderdale created “Genesis” specifically for the planetarium. After meticulous geologic research and many grueling months crafting the mural in Delta’s ceramics shop, “Genesis” was installed in 1986.
“I’m extremely happy Genesis found a new home at the WOW Museum,” Lauderdale said. “The public can enjoy the work and understand that the Earth’s crust is a living thing.”
Lauderdale also created the relief murals that adorn Delta’s Shima building next to the Horton Art Gallery.
The museum is developing a “game plan” with Charlene Lauderdale’s son, Fred, to prepare and mount “Genesis,” Gray said.
“However, I expect that the dinosaur skulls will be floorready in the next two to three weeks,” he said.