Journey back millions of years to take a rare and exciting look at the life of dinosaurs through their eggs, nests and embryos when Cranbrook Institute of Science presents "Hatching the Past," opening February 6. 

A captivating experience for all ages, "Hatching the Past" invites visitors to discover all things dinosaurs by touching bones, studying reconstructed nests, digging for eggs and engaging in hands-on exploration components.

Witness the recreation of a dig patterned after the Mongolian discovery of more than a dozen young Protoceratops dinosaurs that were buried alive when a sudden catastrophic event preserved them in action. A life-like rendering of a portion of a fifteen-mile-long area in the Patagonian Desert where paleontologists found layers of eggs, nests and embryos in 1997 is also represented. Spectacular graphics and video presentations complement the educational content, and all major plant and meat-eating dinosaur groups from around the globe can be found, giving visitors an incredible glimpse into our ancient past.

In addition to the interactive exhibits featured, the Institute of Science will supplement the experience with a number of loaned and donated dinosaur skeletons, fossils and casts as well as various specimens from its own collections.

Cranbrook-exclusive highlights include:

Eggs, Birth and Babies – See actual juvenile dinosaur fossils and fossil eggs including a young Psittacosaurus specimen, a spectacular complete skeleton of a baby Maiasaura and a newly acquired skeletal cast of a teen Maiasaura. Rarely seen eggs of Gigantoraptor and other attractions are also included.

Dinos to Birds 10 Years After – Get an update on crucial recent discoveries relating to the origin of birds and flight. These discoveries are illustrated by fossils, casts and high-resolution photos of the feathered dinosaur Sinornithosaurus fossil known as "Dave," the gliding four-winged Microraptor and Confuciusornis, the first primitive bird with a beak and reduced tail.

Paleo Cold Case Files – Decide whether or not the dinosaur Coelophysis cannibalized its own young or if Oviraptor stole eggs by examining casts of stomach contents and a cast of an Oviraptor nest with associated fossils.

"Hatching the Past" runs through September 6 and is free with admission. For more information, call 1-877-GO-CRANBrook or click here.