Dinosaur fossils have been found on all seven continents.

At the time of the Dinosaur Era, the continents were arranged together as a single supercontinent called Pangea. During the 165 million years of dinosaur existence this supercontinent slowly broke apart. That surely helped!

There are about 700 known species of extinct dinosaurs.

However palaeontologists believe that there could be many more still to be discovered.

The UK ranks the seventh position in the world in regards to dinosaur fossils findings with over 500 noteworthy finds.

So far 108 species of dinosaurs have been discovered in Britain. With the southern England being a remarkable hotspot and the Isle of Wight reaching over 25 different species!

Meat eaters VS plant eaters. How nature helped these second ones on the fight?

To help fight meat eaters such as the Allosaurus or Spinosaurus, many plant eaters had natural weapons at their disposal. Examples of this include the spikes on the tail of the Stegosaurus and the three horns attached to the front of the Triceratops’s head shield.

Modern birds are a kind of dinosaur because they share a common ancestor with non-avian dinosaurs.

Modern birds evolved from a group of two-legged, meat eating dinosaurs called theropods which also included the famous towering Tyrannosaurus rex as well as the smaller velociraptors. The closest ancestors to modern birds weighed between 100-500 pounds and had large snouts and big sharp teeth. Quite far from the pigeons we see nowadays, right! Probably the evolution to a small size allowed to these ancestors to adapt more easily to changing conditions and survived in contrast with other type of dinosaurs. The oldest bird fossils are about 150 million years old.

How many teeth did Triceratops have?

800 teeth. This plant eating dinosaur with 3 horns, a parrot-like beak and a large frill that could reach nearly 3 feet across has one of the largest and most striking skulls of any land animal.

How long could T. Rex live?

With up to 40 feet in length, 12 feet in height and between 11,000 and 15,500 pounds (5,000-7,000 kg), T-Rex animals would die young and probably wouldn't live for more than about 28 years.

What do you get when a dinosaur sneezes?

Out of the way as fast as you can.

Dinosaur Dome

Experience the immersive power of our full domes and interactive teaching. Learn with us all about dinosaurs in a fun and illustrative way.

"Dinosaurs are the best way to teach kids, and adults, the immensity of geologic time."

Robert T. Bakker

American paleontologist who helped reshape

modern theories about dinosaurs

Let's travel back in time

Plenty of dinosaurs are waiting to share their story with us!

Sent!

Dinosaur Dome UK

Dinosaur Dome is designed to explore science, geology and geography in an interactive way. The Dome visits schools, clubs, events and festivals, providing an additional science resource and presenting a different learning experience to children.

We provide educative, immersive digital mobile planetarium sessions; showing different environments and natural history shows (‘rocks, soils & fossils’; under the sea and dinosaurs) to schools, colleges, youth clubs, scout groups and playgroups. The service is provided in a blacked-out purpose built mobile domes to be sited indoors in a school hall or gymnasium. Our domes are the most advanced digital domes in the country, capable of showing 360 degree pictures and feature films.

With over 15 years of experience working for numerous schools, big festivals and local events. We can cater to your needs for indoor set ups and small or large outdoor events. We cover the whole of the UK and are the biggest portable pop-up planetarium and science dome business in the country.

Dinosaur Dome Programme

Dinosaur Dome offers shows for all age groups. From dinosaurs, "rocks, soils & fossils" to plate tectonics & continental drift for older pupils. We can provide shows that fit in to your teaching activities in science, geology and geography; giving students an exciting, interactive and enjoyable experience that they will never forget!

With us your students will be able to examine and touch real fossils, rocks, dinosaur bones and ancient oceanic fossils. They will see the interconnection between sciences such as geology, astronomy, and physics as well as be challenged and encouraged to explore science themselves.

Check out our exciting Dinosaur Dome Programme below and if you require a specific topic that’s not on the list, just get in touch as we will very likely be able to help.

KS1/2/3 on Dinosaur Show

The show includes immersive full dome 360 degree images of dinosaurs. Our giant 360 degree projector is used to walk through a dinosaur landscape.

The show starts with time travel back to the Jurassic times and pictures of early earth landscapes. The programme then gives an interactive introduction to dinosaurs and talks about the fossils in the local Jurassic coast. 360 degree pictures of dinosaurs are used in the show. Real dinosaur fossils for the children to hold and examine are included.

The show ends with possible ways of dinosaur extinction such as a large meteorite. We then look at the stars using the planetarium. We observe many shooting stars and the night's sky.

An extensive Rocks and Fossils collection is available to examine and some sample can be purchase by the children, if desired. Makes a great day suitable for reception onwards and can include KS1/KS2 materials with rocks and soils.
KS2/3/4 on Rocks, Soils & Fossils

Explore all of the stages of the rock cycle, learn about soils and fossils and get the opportunity to hold, examine and touch real fossils.
Fossils are found in sedimentary rocks and provide evidence that different life existed in the past. Rocks and Soils are used for many purposes and we'll explore some of them.
KS1/2/3/4 on Down to Earth (Fossils and Earth's History).

Travel back in time to Earth’s prehistoric past and learn all about its formation and development!
KS1/2/3 on Dinosaurs at Dusk

Experience the thrill of paragliding over the countryside; feel what it's like to soar like a falcon; and travel back in time to meet the flying pterosaurs, and the ancestors of modern day birds.
Dinosaurs at Dusk is all about flying and dinosaurs. A one-of-a-kind learning adventure in the most amazing movie format ever invented!

Science content also includes topics such as continental drift, proper motion of stars, asteroids and impacts, extinctions and the convergent development of flight among species.
KS2/3/4 on 'Dinosaurs and past life'.

The show includes dinosaur pictures in 3D using 3D glasses (provided) and also real dinosaur fossils to hold and examine. Our giant 180 degree projector is used to walk through a dinosaur landscape.

The show starts with time travel back to the Jurassic times and pictures of early earth landscapes. The programme then gives an interactive introduction to dinosaurs and talks about the fossils in the local Jurassic coast.

The show ends with possible ways of dinosaur extinction such as a large meteorite. We then look at the stars using the planetarium. We observe many shooting stars and the night's sky.

An extensive Rocks and Fossils collection is available to examine and some sample can be purchase by the children, if desired. Makes a great day suitable for reception onwards and can include KS1/KS2 materials with rocks and soils.

Explore our Dinosaur Dome Sessions

Dinosaurs and past life

Down to Earth

Dinosaurs at Dusk

Rates

Full day visit cost ranges £580 (excluding VAT) with a typical day including up to five class shows.

Half day costs for three shows is £480.

We may charge extra for a sixth show during the day. If your school is located near one of our dome bases (see below), then we may be able to come for a half day. Please apply for half day rates if the case.

Please be aware that we charge a travel and hotel supplement, if we are required to travel a distance from a base.

Our domes are based at the following locations:

Bournemouth, Wimborne (Dorset), Brighton, Trowbridge, London, Leeds, and Newark in Nottinghamshire covering the whole of the UK and EIRE.

Book a Dinosaur Dome Day Event

Bookings

or alternatively click the bottom down below and fill in the form. We will get in touch with you soon after we receive your request.

Contact form

Fun Facts About Dinosaurs

Dinosaur fossils have been found on all seven continents.

At the time of the Dinosaur Era, the continents were arranged together as a single supercontinent called Pangea. During the 165 million years of dinosaur existence this supercontinent slowly broke apart. That surely helped!
There are about 700 known species of extinct dinosaurs.

However palaeontologists believe that there could be many more still to be discovered.
The UK ranks the seventh position in the world in regards to dinosaur fossils findings with over 500 noteworthy finds.

So far 108 species of dinosaurs have been discovered in Britain. With the southern England being a remarkable hotspot and the Isle of Wight reaching over 25 different species!
Meat eaters VS plant eaters. How nature helped these second ones on the fight?

To help fight meat eaters such as the Allosaurus or Spinosaurus, many plant eaters had natural weapons at their disposal. Examples of this include the spikes on the tail of the Stegosaurus and the three horns attached to the front of the Triceratops’s head shield.
Modern birds are a kind of dinosaur because they share a common ancestor with non-avian dinosaurs.

Modern birds evolved from a group of two-legged, meat eating dinosaurs called theropods which also included the famous towering Tyrannosaurus rex as well as the smaller velociraptors. The closest ancestors to modern birds weighed between 100-500 pounds and had large snouts and big sharp teeth. Quite far from the pigeons we see nowadays, right! Probably the evolution to a small size allowed to these ancestors to adapt more easily to changing conditions and survived in contrast with other type of dinosaurs. The oldest bird fossils are about 150 million years old.
How many teeth did Triceratops have?

800 teeth.

This plant eating dinosaur with 3 horns, a parrot-like beak and a large frill that could reach nearly 3 feet across has one of the largest and most striking skulls of any land animal.
How long could T. Rex live?

With up to 40 feet in length, 12 feet in height and between 11,000 and 15,500 pounds (5,000-7,000 kg), T-Rex animals would die young and probably wouldn't live for more than about 28 years.

Did you know that...

MashIt
It is believed that dinosaurs lived on Earth until around 65 million years ago when a mass extinction occurred.

FabuFit
The first dinosaur to be formally named was the Megalosaurus, back in 1824.

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The dumbest dinosaur around was the Stegosaurus. Even though it had a body weighing 2 tons, its brain was the size of a nut!

Write your caption here

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Please, Tell Me a Dinosaur Joke!

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary?

A Thesaurus.
What would be the best thing to do if you see a Tyrannosaurus Rex?

Pray that it doesn't see you!
What's the nickname for someone who put their right hand in the mouth of a T-Rex?

Lefty.
Do you know how long dinosaurs lived?

The same as short ones.
What do you get when a dinosaur sneezes?

Out of the way as fast as you can.
What sport is a brontosaurus good at?

Squash.
What do you call twin dinosaurs?

Pair-odactyls!
What do you call a smelly dinosaur fart?

An exstinktion!
What do you call a dinosaur that never gives up?

Try-try-try-ceratops!
What is the best way to talk to a velociraptor?

Long-distance!
How do you know if there is a dinosaur in your fridge?

The door won’t shut!

Let's Get Curious About Dinosaurs

What is the Pangaea?

About 200 million years ago, all the continents on Earth were actually one huge "supercontinent" surrounded by one enormous ocean. This gigantic continent, called Pangaea , slowly broke apart and spread out to form the continents

we know today.

When and how did dinosaurs appear?

Around 251 million years ago, at the end of the Permian period, a mass extinction wiped out most of life on Earth. In its wake arose a group of egg-laying reptile precursors called archosaurs, the common ancestors of dinosaurs, flying reptiles known as pterosaurs, and crocodiles. At some point during the next period, the Triassic, pterosaurs and dinosaurs split off from the crocodile lineage. What early dinosaurs and their closest relatives looked like still remains somehow a mystery, because few fossils exist from the dawn of the dinosaurs. However, as today, the archosaurus seems to be the closest we can get to the appearance of dinosaurs on Earth.

Since the fossil record for dinosaurs is incomplete, we do not have fossils from the very first dinosaur that ever lived. Based on the age of the specimens that we do have, that first dinosaur may well have lived in the early Triassic Period. The earliest dinosaurs for which we do have well-documented fossils are found in Late Triassic Ischigualasto Formation in northern Argentina. Skeletons discovered in these rock layers include the meat-eating dinosaurs Herrerasaurus and Eoraptor, as well as the plant-eating dinosaur Pisanosaurus.

Reference: American Museum of National History

Types of dinosaurs:

Historically, dinosaurs have been divided into two main groups: saurischians (“lizard-hipped”) and ornithischians (“bird-hipped”), classified by their hip structure. In saurischians, the two lower bones of the hip point away from each other, as in lizards; and in ornithischians, the two lower hip bones both point backwards, as in birds. Ironically, birds by ancestry are saurischians rather than ornithischians (their evolution of true “bird hips” occurred after the saurischian–ornithischian split). The saurischians are divided into theropods and sauropodomorphs. Theropods are the classic bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs, from Coelophysis to Tyrannosaurus, and also include birds. Sauropodomorphs include the enormous quadrupedal, herbivorous long-necked, long-tailed sauropods (Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus) and their cousins the “prosauropods”. Finally, the ornithischians are harder to define because they include several very different groups, but all ornithischians share a special “beak bone” (the predentary) at the tip of the lower jaw.

More about this topic at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/major-groups-of-dinosaurs

How did dinosaurs become extinct?

Today, paleontologists have discerned that most dinosaur lineages disappeared by about 66 million years ago after intense volcanic activity, climate change and a catastrophic asteroid impact triggered one of the worst mass extinctions in our planet's history.

The Natural History Museum has a very good article about this phenomena

How were dinosaur fossils formed?

Most living things decompose relatively quickly after death. However, if soon after they die, the remains get covered in sediment such as mud, sand, and even lava or volcanic ash. Over time layers of sediment build over the top and hardens into rock. At the same time this happens, water seeps into the sediments and bones. It leaves behind minerals, turning the bones to stones and creating a fossil. Around 99% of the fossils we find are from marine animals, such as shellfish and sharks. As they lived in the sea, mud or sand could bury them very quickly after their death. Most dinosaur fossils we have found belong to animals that were living near to a lake or a river which facilitated the remains to get covered in mud and silt. There are other events that can help fossils form, like animals that get buried when still alive by mud (rare cases) or volcanoes’ eruptions. Dinosaur can also leave behind footprints, and impressions of skin and feathers. We learn about dinosaurs through fossils, these discoveries are very important to understand the history behind us.