Sunday, March 27, 2016
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CORKBOARD OF CURIOSITIES
Dr. Ian Malcolm is a fictional character in the “Jurassic Park” franchise.
Othniel Charles Marsh, depicted at the bottom of this sketch, is credited with naming the first Brontosaurus genus in 1879. There has been much debate around whether the Brontosaurus actually existed, or if it was misidentified as another dinosaur, the Apatosaurus. Recent studies argue they are two separate creatures.
Ekalaka, Alaska natives’ dinosaur cartoons mix humor with education By MATT HUDSON mhudson@billingsgazette.com Sometimes it’s easier to visualize a subject like paleoclimatology with the help of cats. Looking at little feline isotopes trapped in ice is cute, but it can also be representative of the way scientists determine earth’s climate from millions of years ago. It’s an intersection of witty cartoons and specialized science, which is where Tammi Heneveld and Nate Carroll operate in the name of knowledge. “We feel like subjects that are as fascinating but also frequently complex as paleontology and natural history, those particular subjects aren’t laid out as visually as they need to be,” said Heneveld, 27. Enter the Corkboard of Curiosities, a weekly online comic series on the prehistoric world that tackles topics with artwork that’s both humorous and infor-
Nate Carroll
Nate Carroll, 27, of originally from Ekalaka, is one of the creators of the Corkboard of Curiosities.
mative across age groups. There are the kitty isotopes, plenty of dinosaurs and, well, Scrotum humanum. Heneveld creates the artwork, and Carroll, a 27-year-old Ekalaka native, draws on his work as a Ph.D. student for paleontology at the University of Southern California. The product is a fun look into the natural sciences and the processes of those who study it. Carroll said that it’s a creative outlet as he dives deeper into his studies, his lab work and his profession. “As I get further along, I was having more and more difficulty talking about some stuff that I get to learn every day to my friends who aren’t pursuing a doctorate in paleontology,” he said. Carroll and Heneveld worked together while in college at Montana State University and working for the school’s student newspaper, The Exponent. Please see Cartoons, E3
Tammi Heneveld
Tammi Heneveld, 27, of originally from Alaska, is one of the creators of the Corkboard of Curiosities. She and Carroll met while working on the student newspaper at Montana State University, The Exponent.
“We feel like subjects that are as fascinating but also frequently complex as paleontology and natural history, those particular subjects aren’t laid out as visually as they need to be.” Heneveld