Members Honorary Kick Off Event

• 5:30 pm – Main Museum Open
  • Doors Open for Reception:  Appetizers & Cash Drinks
  • Will Call Open to pick up tickets and pre-purchased  merchandise
• 6:00 pm – Check-in for  Nano vs. T. rex Dino Craft Lab. Child drop offs permitted–enjoy the talk while your children learn at their own pace about the same topic!
  • 6:15pm: Nano vs. T. rex Dino Craft Lab Begins.

• 6:15pm  Dr. James Napoli: “Nanotyrannus lethaeus: how new evidence revealed Rockford’s own tyrannosaur species was hiding in plain sight”
  • Join one of the lead authors of the groundbreaking 2025 Nature paper on the reclassification of “Jane.” from Stonybrook University.
  • Hear the inside story of how Nanotyrannus was officially recognized as a distinct species.
• 7:30 pm – Museum Closes

The Scientist Who Solved the  Mystery of “Jane”
Dr. James Napoli is an evolutionary biologist and vertebrate paleontologist at Stony Brook University who has spent years investigating one of science’s most heated debates: Was “Jane” a baby T. rex, or something entirely new?
In a historic Nature paper (October 2025), Dr. Napoli and his team provided the definitive answer. By examining over 200 tyrannosaur fossils and using cutting-edge 3D modeling, he proved that Nanotyrannus is a real, distinct species—not just a young T. rex.
Why you can’t miss this session:
The Inside Story of Nanotyrannus lethaeus: Dr. Napoli named this new species after the River Lethe (the river of forgetfulness), a nod to how this predator remained “hidden in plain sight” for decades.
Rewriting the History Books: For 30 years, scientists modeled T. rex growth using these fossils. Dr. Napoli will explain why he says paleontology now needs to “demolish the building and rebuild it” to correct our understanding of the dinosaur world.
The “Dueling Dinosaurs” Connection: Hear the high-stakes details of his work with the Dueling Dinosaurs specimen—a Nanotyrannus and Triceratops locked in a prehistoric battle—and how it helped confirm Jane’s true identity.

Join us at the Friday Honorary Member Kick-Off to meet the man who officially gave Rockford’s favorite dinosaur a name of her own.

Pro-Tip: Dr. Napoli is a master at making complex anatomy sound like a detective story. This is the perfect talk for anyone who loves a good scientific mystery or wants to know how new technology is changing what we know about the past.

Kids, join us for a concurrent workshop: T.rex vs Nano Craft Lab!

🎟️ Tickets that include Friday Night Talk

• Register for Friday Talk Only Members attend free—but please reserve a seat. 

• Paleo Duo Workshop Bundle

• All Days Research Lecture Pass

• Paleo Research Package

• VIP Paleo Research Package

• PaleoFest Experience It All Family Package (4 people)

• PaleoFest Family VIP (4 people)

Location: Burpee Museum Woodward Traveling Exhibition Hall

• The “Holy Grail” of Fossils: Jingmai served as the lead scientific advisor for the Chicago Archaeopteryx—one of only 13 specimens ever found and arguably the most important transitional fossil in history.
• Breaking News Research: Hear firsthand about her latest study published in Nature (May 2025), which used UV light and CT scans to reveal “invisible” feathers and soft tissues that prove exactly how this “missing link” used its wings to fly.
• A “Researchaholic” with Style: Jingmai is famous for her high-energy, relatable speaking style that bridges the gap between hard science and pure wonder. Whether she’s discussing “dead bird nerd” facts or how birds survived the asteroid that killed T. rex, her passion is contagious.

Sunday 3/8/2026

Sunday 3/8/2026