Description
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Welcome to DinoSoc!
We are a student-led society focused on palaeontology, fossils and everything prehistoric. Whether you are an academic paleontologist, a seasoned fossil hunter, or just looking for a new hobby where you can spend time outside and learn about the history of life on Earth, we are open to everyone. We had a fantastic range of events last year, and will be doing even more in the 2024/25 academic year. From fossils hunts to socials, academic talks to film screenings, workshops to museum visits: DinoSoc will have something for everyone this year. More details below.
== Fossil Hunting Trips ==
The main activity we offer are fossil hunting trips, and so we will bring you to several productive fossil sites throughout the UK. Whether you have been fossil hunting for years, or have never held a hammer before in your life, we can guarantee that you'll be coming home with real remnants of animals that died millions of years ago. Every fossil you find on our trips is yours to keep! We will also be giving lots of info before each hunt on what fossils can be found at the site, how old they are, the best techniques to find them, etc. And in terms of equipment, we will be providing you each time with any hammers, hard hats, goggles, chisels, etc you may need. Fossil hunting is a really fun and very rewarding activity, and even if you're not that interested in the fossils themselves it is still a great excuse to spend some time in beautiful outdoor areas with friends, whacking rocks with hammers. Last year we had brilliant success at sites such as Breakheart Quarry, Penarth, Writhlington, Lyme Regis, Gilwern Quarry and Aust - we'll be going back to some of those productive sites this year but will also try to bring you to some new ones!
== Socials ==
Of course we will also be organising lots of great socials, such as regular pub nights, BBQs, pub quizzes, bowling, movie nights, etc. These are perfect opportunities to meet other DinoSoc members and make new friends from different years and departments to you. Some of these socials will be held in collaboration with other student societies at Bristol, such as BUGGS, Wildlife Film Society, and more, meaning they will also be great opportunities to meet new people and potentially discover new interests! We are also interested in holding more accessible & inclusive events this year, including alcohol-free socials.
== Residential ==
Our most exciting event last year was a weekend-long residential trip to the Jurassic coast of Dorset. Here, members stayed in a country mansion, and spent the day fossil hunting at sites, such as Charmouth beach, and exploring shops, museums, and even a fossil-themed microbrewery (see above) in the town of Lyme Regis. The evenings were spent relaxing in our very own mansion, socialising, and comparing fossil finds. A similar trip to this year is one of our main ambitions, with potential locations including a return to Dorset, up North to Yorkshire, or across the sea to the Isle of Wight. Stay tuned!
== Academic Events ==
We also have some very interesting 'academic' socials planned this year! These include museum visits (including backstage tours of the collections), lectures by famous paleontologists in the university and abroad (some notable names from the last couple of years include veterbrate paleontologist Mike Benton and TV presenter Nigel Marven). These events are a great way to learn more about paleontology, and talk directly to people working in the field.
== Workshops ==
This year we are planning to host workshops to help our members hone their skills as paleontologists. These will hopefully include paleoart workshops, where we will learn how to best capture some beautiful fossils and reconstruct the lives they once lived in art. As well as fossil preparation workshops, where we will learn to prepare collected fossils for study and display.
To make sure you don't miss out on these great events, go get yourself a DinoSoc 2024/25 membership on the Bristol SU website as soon as possible! We promise you won't regret it!
~The DinoSoc committee
Terms and conditions
Click here to view terms and conditions
Membership Fee Inclusions
Prior to signing up to a Club or Society speak to the Committee to find out what your membership includes and if there are any further expenses throughout the year.
Service Standards
All Club or Society members can expect to receive:
- The opportunity to attend regular meetings, events, activities, trips and socials as arranged.
- The opportunity to stand for a committee position or vote in their elections (Bristol students only).
- For Sports Club – to attend regular training sessions and have the opportunity to be selected for the teams.
Code of Conduct
When joining a club or society you are agreeing to abide by the constitution, general rules, regulations and policies of University of Bristol Students’ Union and also the Club or Society Code of Conduct which sets out the level of behaviour & discipline expected of all Club & Society members.
Refund Policy
Any customer who pays for a membership subscription to a Bristol SU Society, Sports Club, Student Media and initiatives has a 14 day cooling off period from the time and date of purchase during which they have the right to cancel the subscription and receive a full refund. If you do decide to cancel within the 14 days, Bristol SU will refund your payment within a further 30 days of the cancellation. To request a refund please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk
Data sharing (Sports Club members only)
Please be aware that Bristol SU may share data relating to the members of its sports clubs with the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health (a department of the University). This information may be used for the purposes of communicating direct with these members and/or to cross-reference against SEH's Sports Pass membership records.
As part of Bristol SU's membership of British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Bristol SU may have to share data on to its sports clubs members so BUCS can, from time to time, communicate with these members.
Data sharing (Societies members only)
If you're joining one of the societies listed below please be aware that your name and email address will be shared with Bristol Hub for the purpose of keeping you up to date with their activities through their email “The Week”:
AIESEC Bristol, AMICUS Bristol, Anti-Slavery Society, Bristol Feminists, Bristol Friends of MSF, Bristol Marrow, Bristol Social Enterprise Society, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, Bristol University Amnesty International, Conservation Group, Bristol University Oxfam Group, Bristol University Sustainability Team, Bristol Volunteers for Development Abroad, Engineers Without Borders, Howard League for Penal Reform Student Society, International Affairs Society, Medsin Bristol, Model United Nations, and Vegetarian and Vegan Society.
For more information on Bristol Hub visit: http://www.bristolhub.org.
If you do not want your details shared with the Hub please email: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk.
These terms shall be governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Nothing in these terms shall exclude liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.
