VIDEO: University of Cincinnati Rocks NAPC 2009!

More than 500 paleontologists, geologists, biologists and educators from nearly 30 countries flooded to the University of Cincinnati’s Uptown Campus for the ninth

North American Paleontological Convention (NAPC 2009).

Throughout the week of plenary sessions, 20 symposia, 10 field trips and poster sessions, some constant themes emerged: climate change is not new; today’s K–12 students are tomorrow’s school board members; and studying the past holds important information for the future — if we interpret it correctly.

Arnie Miller, professor of geology in UC’s McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, was the chair of the organizing committee. “It was a wonderfully eclectic meeting, touching on virtually all significant questions in 21st century paleontology about the history of life, including topics in evolution, mass extinction, ancient climate, and, of course the paleobiology of dinosaurs!” says Miller. “We had nearly 550 registered participants representing some 30 different countries, and the word on the street is that it was a thoroughly enjoyable and enriching meeting.”