Acer palmatum, although there are more than 100 species of maple worldwide, only one species (Acer campestre) is native to the UK.

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Mary Anning session

This bookable activity is free and has curriculum links appropriate for KS2 pupils.

Nineteenth-century Mary Anning has lots of stories to tell you about her life as a pioneering fossil hunter in Lyme Regis. Did you know she helped discover the first specimen of Ichthyosaurus recognised by the scientific community when she was only 10 years old. Find out more about her life and her important fossil discoveries that helped reconstruct the world’s past.

Overview of the session:

  • Mary Anning introduces herself and talks about her life growing up in Lyme Regis.
  • Mary explains what fossils are and how the evidence from fossils can give clues about an animal's appearance and habitat.
  • She describes some of the fossils that she has found in her lifetime, including ammonites, belemnites, and ichthyosaurs.

You can book to meet Mary Anning in the museum or via videoconference.

We offer downloadable pre and post videoconference activities PDF (61.0 KB)

 free of charge.

Print version

Contact us

Videoconference bookings
You must register with JVCS before booking with the museum.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5555

Cartoon image of a snake disappearing through closing door

There are 27 km of specimen shelves in the Darwin Centre - the same distance as between the Museum and Junction 6 of the M1.