Nebraska school children revved into action for a special challenge -- to create the most wildly colorful version of their favorite ancient or modern creature.

Pre-schoolers through fifth graders sketched colorful creatures such as tigers, bugs, dinosaurs and mammoths for the contest through the University of Nebraska's Morrill Hall.

"It's really inspiring to see all of these works up," said
Mark Harris, the museum's associate director. "One of our intents was to give kids the opportunity to let kids have their work exhibited in a world renowned museum which is an extremely rare opportunity in itself and we hope to inspire kids."

The University of Nebraska State Museum invites kids and families to Morrill Hall for "Colorful Creature Day" 1 to 4:30 p.m. May 16. A fun-filled afternoon of music and art is planned to celebrate the museum's new "Colorful Creature" exhibit, comprised of all of the entries received from its statewide art contest this spring. Morrill Hall is south of 14th and Vine streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus.

Museum visitors will enjoy a performance by popular family-friendly music troupe The String Beans at 1:30 p.m. Other activities include fun with beads, face painting, fossil and rock stations, planetarium shows, arts and crafts, and more. Local artists from the Guild of Natural Scientific Illustrators will be on hand to demonstrate their artistic talents and answer questions.

All of the entries from the "Colorful Creature" art contest will be on display on the third floor of Morrill Hall for the participants, their families, and general public to enjoy. More than 900 children in preschool through fifth grade contributed paintings and drawings of their favorite ancient or modern creatures to the exhibit. The first-, second- and third-place winners will be unveiled among each of the age groups. The "Colorful Creature" art exhibit will remain on display through Labor Day.

Mueller Planetarium will present the fulldome show "The Little Star that Could," an educational story about an average yellow star and his journey through the solar system. Show times are 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Running time 35 minutes.

Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $3 for children (4 and younger are free) and $10 for families (up to two adults and their children). There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Free parking. For more information call (402) 472-3779 or visit www.museum.unl.edu.