GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors will have an opportunity to get “The Scoop on Poop!” Saturday (Feb. 10) and learn about the science of scat with free activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hands-on activities include “Bag the Poo” relay races, a composting demo, whale poop Jenga and a live bat from the Lubee Bat Conservancy. The museum will also host the “Watch Your Step!” 5K race the morning of the celebration at 8:30 a.m. The run begins in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza commuter lot and will continue through the UF Natural Area Teaching Lab and various campus roads.

“I hope museum visitors leave the celebration with a new appreciation for the vastness of science and the connectivity between living things and their poo,” said Chelsea Collison, Florida Museum educator.

Other celebration activities include a look into the science of farts, a coprolite (fossilized feces) guessing game and a lesson on food and the human digestive system.

“The Scoop on Poop!” exhibit features displays such as “Who Dung It ?,” which helps visitors identify different types of local scat, and “Fossil Feces,” which explains fossilized animal dung.

“I’m looking forward to visitors having the chance to have fun with this new exhibit while also learning something new about the science of what we leave behind,” Collison said.

While all celebration activities are free, admission to “The Scoop on Poop!” exhibit is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for Florida residents and seniors, $5 for ages 3-17 and free to Museum members and UF students with a valid Gator 1 card.

“The Scoop on Poop!” exhibit will run through May 6. This exhibit was created by Peeling Productions at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, Allenwood, Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/scoop-celebration or call 352-273-2062.

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Writer: Kelly Hayes, 352-273-2032, PRintern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Chelsea Collison, 352-273-2062, ccollison@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu