THIS STORY IS FEATURED IN GIANT SCREEN DOCUMENTARY “T. REX” 

DENVER (June 4, 2024) — The Denver Museum of Nature & Science announces the incredible discovery and display of a juvenile T. rex fossil in its new temporary experience, "Discovering Teen Rex" opening to the public on June 21, at 1:30 p.m. What started as a family hike in North Dakota by two young brothers, Jessin and Liam Fisher, their dad, Sam Fisher, and their cousin, Kaiden Madsen, turned into a significant moment for science as only a handful of juvenile T. rex skeletons have ever been found. The public can now see the fossil being prepped in real time at the Museum. 

The trio of young fossil hunters discovered the T. rex fossil in the North Dakota badlands in 2022 and contacted the Museum’s Curator of Paleontology, Tyler Lyson, who grew up in the same area and went to high school with their father, to identify what they had found. In the summer of 2023, the junior explorers returned to the site to help Dr. Lyson’s team of paleontologists excavate the fossil. The fossil was collected on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management under permit ND2023-0084. 

"By going outside and embracing their passions and the thrill of discovery, these boys have made an incredible dinosaur discovery that advances science and deepens our understanding of the natural world,” said Dr. Lyson. "I'm excited for Museum guests to dig into the "Teen Rex Discovery" experience, which I think will inspire the imagination and wonder, not only our community, but around the world!" 

This remarkable story was captured on film and featured in the new 40-minute documentary “T. REX,” showing on the Museum’s giant-screen Infinity Theater on June 21. With state-of-the-art CGI and cutting-edge paleontological insights, this giant screen movie offers an unprecedented journey into the world of T. rex and its fellow Cretaceous carnivores. Find the “T. REX” press kit, here. 

The "Discovering Teen Rex" experience will enhance educational programs at the Museum to inspire the next generation of junior explorers and scientists. This new temporary experience will include a wide array of dinosaur fossils, including Triceratops and Edmontosaurus, and a prep lab.  

The Museum would like to recognize our exhibition’s presenting sponsor, Chevron. The Museum also acknowledges the generous support of the Genesee Mountain Foundation. Also, the Museum would like to acknowledge appreciation for the BLM.

Available for interviews: 

• Dr. Tyler Lyson, Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science 
• Natalie Toth, Chief Fossil Preparator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science   

Visitors can see the fossil in the temporary exhibition, “Discovering Teen Rex” and relive the incredible story, with actual footage of this discovery featured in the film “T. REX,” opening soon on the Museum’s giant screen in its Infinity Theater.  

Media Kit: https://brandfolder.com/dmns/teenrex 

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About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science:  

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for formal and informal science education. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Catalyst.