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INDIANAPOLIS–The dinosphere at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is reopening, with more dinosaurs, more fossils and an experience that it is meant to make the science easy to understand and enjoy. The world-famous dinosaur section of the museum has been closed for a year to make the new experience ready.

“We have been preparing to unveil fossils that we have dug up from our dig in northern Wyoming and put them on display for the first time. We also have a wealth of fossils from out collection that have never been on display either,” said Monica Ramsey, director of exhibits.

LISTEN: Monica Ramsey talks about the dinosphere

The entrance and ramp down into the dinosphere that was once more sparsely populated with small displays is now filled with dinosaurs, dinosaur footprints, and murals that tell their stories. You will also see and hear 24 light and sound programs to add to the immersive experience.

“We have lighting that makes you feel like you’re walking into the time period. We have foliage that is really accurate to the time period,” she said.

Ramsey said the experience is made to help people understand what scientists have discovered about the prehistoric animals from the Jurassic, Crustaceous and Mesozoic periods.

A dinosaur on the wall at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis

PHOTO: Chris Davis/Emmis

Much about the Jurassic era has been uncovered at the museum’s dig site in Wyoming, over several years time, brought back and prepared for display by a team at the museum. The Children’s Museum partners with Naturalis, a museum in the Netherlands, for the digs, which happen each summer.

“We have families go out and observe the work. We have teachers, visit as well, along with our team that’s out there every summer. And, then we bring those bones back and see what we’ve found,” said Ramsey.

What they’ve found so far are seven huge new specimens, and countless other fossils, said Ramsey. Much of what they now have on display are the actual fossils, not just casts.

“This site that we’ve found is so rich and covers so much time,” she said. For you, that means a story that covers millions of years of dinosaur existence, and with the dig by the museum expected to span 20 years, the potential for learning much more, and eventually seeing it in Indianapolis.

“We joke that we don’t have any space left. But, we could have said that before,” said Ramsey. “I think what’s really exciting is just the possibility, the potential for what can be found there.”