Our keynote speaker will be Christina Kastell, Curator of History and Anthropology at the Putnam Museum and Science Center.  In addition to the King Tut exhibit and the Putnam Vault exhibit, listeners will get a sneak peek into the museum’s expansive
collection, with access to items that have been stored away, showcasing a richer tapestry of history than many might expect. The Putnam Museum and Science Center is thrilled to announce a multi-year project to bring a full adult Triceratops skeleton to the Quad Cities – making it the only location in Iowa to showcase a complete dinosaur fossil.  Excavation is currently underway in Wyoming, with a team from the Putnam and local community joining the Dino Expedition. In partnership with Leap Lab, the project will include bone preparation, fabrication of missing pieces, and ongoing public engagement through live updates, a community naming contest, and interactive experiences like a dino lab. The skeleton is expected to be installed in 2027 as a permanent addition to the museum’s collection, inspiring curiosity and lifelong learning for generations to come. https://www.putnam.org/putnam-dino-expedition/  To help ensure we have adequate space and materials, all FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams (students, coaches, mentors and parents), event volunteers, and people supporting Kickoff displays must pre-register and provide signed consent forms when checking in as outlined below.