For many children, collecting fossils is a first step to spark interest in nature and science. Sharing knowledge and experience with amateur collectors inspires them to collect systematically and responsably, and to grow into a more scientific approach to amateur palaeontology. Bringing science to people is essential and rewarding.
Therefore, we try to share our knowledge and passion for trilobites, and learn from others in the most effective ways possible. This is why we try to publish our research in open access scientific journals as well as widely accessible magazines of palaeontological or geological associations, and share some of our resources.
Pay it forward!

Seminars

We give seminars on topics like Devonian trilobite taxonomy & ecology, fieldwork and preparation.

Preparation demos

Twice a year, we take our mobile prep lab to the PaleoTime International Fossil Shows in Belgium and the Netherlands. Look over our shoulders to see a live preparation and discuss preparation techniques. We usually bring a small collection of properly documented, mostly unprepared fossils available for aspiring hobbyists and preparators.

Field trips

We can join in with people, educational institutions and associations on their trilobite-oriented field trips. However, we do not organise field trips ourselves, as there are many palaeontological associations already doing a great job at that.

Networking and support

Research is always a collective effort. Whether it is with museums, individual academics, associations or enthusiastic amateur collectors and field experts, Trilolab actively seeks meaningful collaborations.

Publishing

No matter how high the level of collaboration, all knowledge will fade if it is never written down. Peer-reviewed, scientific research papers are essential to publishing factual knowledge. These works are probably less suitable to the layman for they assume a certain amount of foreknowledge. We write (non-anglophone) informal articles in regional magazines to target a broader alternative audience.