The Greatest Show Un-earthed: Workshops

This ticket includes general admission to explore our Polymorphic Carbon Library Exhibition, Graft & Glory Exhibition, The Neville Hall LEGO® Model and The Common Room Minerals and Ores Display. In line with our Covid Safety Statement, if you intend to visit as part of a group, please ensure one person in your party books all tickets. Visitors may need to queue at various points in the building to ensure social distance can be maintained in exhibitions, workshops and events.

About this event

Visit the Dino Dig, Prospector’s Patch, and Collector’s Corner at The Common Room and The Rock Showman’s family-friendly workshop! Explore geology specimens such as dinosaur fossils, minerals, and shiny crystals. These family-friendly science workshops explore our region’s Earth history and welcome all ages to explore what lies beneath our feet!

Dino Dig!

Join The Rock Showman and his team to discover fossils including real dinosaur bones! Budding palaeontologists can learn the skills of fossil hunting, with the opportunity to find and keep a genuine fossil of their own. What could you find if you knew what to look for?

Prospector’s Patch

Throughout human history, prospecting for mineral resources has been important. For making tools or making art, certain rocks and stones have always had special value. This interactive activity encourages you to get your hands dirty in our treasure chest of opportunity to unearth and identify crystals, minerals, fossils and shiny things! Open to trainee Prospectors of all ages! Every person takes home their own unique piece of Earth History!

Collector’s Corner

Have you collected a fossil, mineral or rock and wanted to know more about it? Here’s your chance to ask an expert! Bring your object with information about where you found it and our experts will help you to:

• Categorise a curious cobble

• Pinpoint a petrification

• Classify a crystal

Event timings

Dates: 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th August 2021

Times: 12:00-12:30, 12:30-13:00, 15:30-16:00, 16:00-16:30

Booking information

Tickets are free for these workshops but booking is required, as capacity is capped at 10 people per workshop. Please note, adults accompanying children will also require their own ticket.

For the full Greatest Show Un-earthed experience, remember to book a place for The Rock Showman Presents: Out of this world – planetary geology and space, or The Rock Showman presents: The Forests that changed the world… twice.

Additional information

Location: Map Room, First Floor, The Common Room, Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1 1SE

Children must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.

Hand sanitiser will be supplied. Face masks should be worn by adults at all times unless medically except.

Our building is fully accessible – if you have any queries about accessibility, please contact lucy.stockdale@thecommonroom.org.uk

In line with updated government advice, all visitors over the age of 16 will be asked to scan the NHS QR code or provide their name and contact details on arrival at The Common Room. Smartphone users can download the NHS COVID-19 app before arrival.

The Common Room is taking a number of precautions to mitigate the risk to the public regarding COVID-19. Face masks should be worn by adults at all times unless medically except and visitors should practice social distancing. For further information on our COVID-19 protocol please visit our home page: thecommonroom.org.uk