Dinosaur lectures consider how sauropod dinosaurs moved and walked

Using 3D computer graphics Kent Stevens, Ph.D. explores sauropod movements
 
Learn how scientists are using three-dimensional computer graphics to visualize and explore dinosaurs as University of Oregon Professor of Computer Science Kent A. Stevens, Ph.D. presents two lectures on the University of Colorado, Boulder campus.  “Walking like Dinosaurs,” at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, will be presented in Engineering Center Classroom 265 and “What’s with the long necks? Methodology and mythology regarding sauropods,” at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2 will be presented at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History. Since 1994,Stevens has been pioneering the application of computer graphics to the modeling of articulated dinosaur skeletons.
 
Stevens explains, “Through collaborative efforts with paleontologists we are now able to share new and intriguing insights into dinosaurs by creating virtual reconstructions of their skeletons.” After a brief review of what we know (and don’t know) about how sauropods looked, moved, and behaved, Stevens will share how 3D modeling is helping scientists to better understand these extinct giants.
 
“Walking like Dinosaurs” will focus on how computational modeling is replicating fossil trackways and observable behaviors to better understand the gate of the sauropods. “What’s with the long necks? Methodology and mythology regarding sauropods,” will look at what we have known about the sauropod up until now and consider what has been exaggerated and oversimplified.
 
These lectures are sponsored by the University of Colorado Department of ComputerScience, Department of Geological Sciences, Museum of Natural History and the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society.

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