Saurophaganax maximus is coming to Ardmore.

While many may not be familiar with Oklahoma's state dinosaur, Kyle Davies, paleontologist at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, will provide insight into this massive, meat-eating dinosaur that once roamed the Sooner State landscape.

Davies' presentation, which will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Ardmore Convention Center, kicks off the Noble Foundation's 2008-2009 Explorations in Science (formerly Public Lectures in Science) season.

"Dinosaurs are just plain exciting," said Marilyn Roossinck, professor at the Noble Foundation and series organizer. "It doesn't matter if you're young or young at heart, dinosaurs are one of the most interesting and mysterious creatures to ever live on our planet, and we had one of the largest, most ferocious dinosaurs living here in Oklahoma. Mr. Davies' presentation promises to be captivating."

The fall portion of the Explorations in Science season continues on Thursday, Nov. 6, with Kevin Goebbert's presentation, Storms of Fury: Atlantic Hurricanes and their U.S. Impact. Goebbert, of the University of Oklahoma's Meteorology Department, will look at one of nature's most powerful events just in time for the end of the 2008 hurricane season.

After a holiday break, the spring portion of Explorations in Science will begin with a presentation on the fascinating science behind the home gardening experience by Roossinck (Thursday, Feb. 19) followed by a talk on Thursday, April 2, on nanotechnology by Mike Santos and Matt Johnson of the Center for Semiconductor Physics in Nanostructures.

For additional information about Explorations in Science, contact the Noble Foundation at 580.224.6600.

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Note to News Editors: Kyle Davies will replace Rich Cifellie, professor of paleontology at the University of Oklahoma, who was originally scheduled to provide the dinosaur presentation.