Della Drury's 9th grade project

[Sue Blakey <ellensb@trib.com>]

Several of you read with interest the thread (and continuing saga) earlier
this year of 14-year-old Della Drury and her ninth grade science project on
hadrosaurs, physics and bioacoustics. I thought you might be interested in
the following news release which will go out tomorrow, August 13. 
Drury is at the WDC this week, August 10-15. The Young Scientist Award will
be presented in an informal ceremony Thursday, August 14, at the WDC. Feel
free to pick up the story; a lengthier explanation is available for any
editors out there who want more. Just call me at 307 864 3391 or email
ellensb@trib.com
A big thanks to all of you on the line who gave a helping hand to a budding
scientist. Too often only the kids who are athletically inclined get any
help or recognition.
(And by the way, we're already looking for next year's Young Scientist. If
you know someone who's outstanding, let us know.)
Ellen Sue Blakey, Education Director, Big Horn Basin Foundation & The
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
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August 13, 1997

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                For more information: Ellen Sue Blakey, 307 864 3391

CANADIAN STUDENT NAMED FIRST ANNUAL YOUNG SCIENTIST BY WDC
Thermopolis, Wyo. - Della Drury, Fairview, Alberta, Canada, has been named
1997 Young Scientist by The Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Big Horn Basin
Foundation.
Drury, who will enter tenth grade this fall, received the award for her work
with hadrosaurs and the possible sounds they made. 
Hadrosaurs were plant-eaters who lived in the Cretaceous period about 65
million years ago. The hollow crest on the top of the dinosaur's head had
long canals connected to their nostril cavity. These canals may have been
used to create sounds. 
Drury decided to try to reproduce the sounds for a ninth grade science
project. The result was a model sound resonator built from plastic pipe,
lined and coated to simulate the effects of sound tissue. A frequency
generator was installed in one end with a microphone in the other. 
Her work earned her a gold medal at the regional science fair and the silver
medal (second place) at the Canadian National Science Fair.
The Big Horn Basin Foundation's Young Scientist Award included a week-long
stay at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, working with technicians digging
fossils on the Warm Springs Ranch dig sites and with preparators in the
laboratory working on fossil bones from the dig sites. 
-end-
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Ellen Sue Blakey
phone: 307/864-3391             fax: 307/864-3882
email: ellensb@trib.com
snailmail: Rt. 3 Box 209, Thermopolis, Wyoming 82443 USA