Our Meetings

Guests are always welcome to the meetings if you would like see what we're all about. Meetings start at 7:00 pm and usually take place the first Saturday of the month, unless there is a holiday, then it's on the second Saturday of the month. Located at the USF Behavioral Science Room #103.

After the speaker finishes we have a short break. Then we draw for door prizes and some raffle items as well. We finish with any final announcements.

Upcoming Meetings and Guest Speakers (2025-2026 season):
NOTE: All meetings are the first Saturday of the month at 7:00 pm unless otherwise clearly noted.

Sept. 12 - Eileen Durkin, TBFC Director
The Great Debate: The Evolution of the Great White Shark

Eileen has been fascinated by shark teeth since she began collecting them as an eight-year-old child. What started as a childhood hobby in 1996 has grown into a lifelong passion for sharks and fossil hunting. While her career is in software engineering, she continues to pursue her passion for fossil hunting, sharks, and sharing her adventures with others.

The Great Debate: The Evolution of the Great White Shark - For many years, scientists debated where the modern Great White Shark came from. Was it a descendant of the giant megatoothed sharks like megalodon, or did it evolve from an entirely different group of sharks?

In September’s presentation, Eileen will explore the history of that debate by following the fossil record in search of the ancestors of today's Great White Shark. Along the way, we'll look at the fossil evidence, how scientific thinking has changed over time, and why most researchers now support a different evolutionary path than many people grew up hearing about.

Whether you're new to fossil sharks or have been collecting for years, this presentation will provide a fresh look at one of the most interesting questions in shark paleontology.

Oct. 3 - Dr. Bruce MacFadden, Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, FLMNH
Paleontology and Artificial Intelligence

Like it or not, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. Dr. Bruce’s October lecture will discuss how AI will increasingly impact society worldwide in many ways. He will focus on how fossils and paleontology are both impacted by, and contributing to, AI, including some of the ongoing projects at the University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History (FLMNH).

One aspect of AI that Dr. Bruce will also talk about is called computer vision, where computers are trained by humans to identify objects, like fossils, through “Machine Learning” (ML). The FLMNH’s ongoing projects, including SharkAI and SEFS (Scientist in Every Florida School), are using fossils and ML to: (1) teach Florida public school teachers and their students about AI, and (2) understand how ML and computer vision can enhance research on paleontology in the 21st century.

While some of you may be worried about the cyborgs taking over, there are many AI advances in the sciences that have already been made and will continue to be made. Don’t miss Dr. Bruce’s presentation as he discusses some of this groundbreaking work.

Nov. 7 - Annual TBFC Scholarship Auction
with Dr. Bob Sinibaldi

Looking for something special for the fossil hunter in your life? Maybe you're hoping to add another spectacular specimen to your own collection. Either way, this is your chance to pick up all sorts of great paleo-related goodies while supporting a very worthwhile cause. It's a win-win!

The auction will feature a variety of paleo treasures generously donated by club members and other supporters. So, if you have a few pesky megalodon teeth lying around or more mammoth molars than you know what to do with, why not donate one or two to the auction? Your contribution could help fund a student's education while finding a new home for a specimen someone will treasure.

Don't have any fossils you're willing to part with just yet? No problem! All you need is a big heart, an interest in paleontology, and perhaps a little room in your budget for some bidding. After all, the real secret to making the Ben Waller Memorial Scholarship Auction a success is YOU!

Once again, our very own auctioneer extraordinaire, Dr. Bob Sinibaldi, will be leading the festivities. With his booming voice, hilarious anecdotes, and entertaining auctioneering style, Dr. Bob knows how to keep things moving and the audience laughing. Even if you don't plan to bid on anything, the auction is a show in itself!

Of course, there's more to this event than great fossils and good laughs. The proceeds help support TBFC's operations and the numerous scholarships the club awards to students in geoscience programs at the University of South Florida and the University of Florida. These scholarships help support the next generation of scientists, making this an important event for the future of our field.

If you've never attended one of our auctions, I encourage you to join us on November 7. Dr. Bob and our generous donors make this a fun evening for everyone, whether you're an experienced collector, a beginning fossil hunter, or simply someone who enjoys a good time with fellow club members.

We'll have plenty of exciting paleo-related items up for grabs, including a good selection of legally collected artifacts. And here's another reason to come prepared to bid: TBFC accepts checks, credit cards, debit cards, and even gold doubloons! We want to make it as easy as possible for you to take home something special from the auction or our paleo store.

Dec. No Meeting

There is no meeting in December

Jan. 9 - TBD



Feb. 6 - TBD



Mar. 6 - TBD



Apr. 3 - TBD



May 8 - TBD



June 5 - End of Season Dinner

View Our Past Virtual and In-Person Meetings

COVID-19 had forced us to adapt!
Since in-person meetings were not possible during that time, the club hosted Virtual Live Meetings on our YouTube channel.
Since COVID, we've tried to record in-person meetings and upload them to the site too. Unfortunately not all meetings are able to be recorded but please check the channel for any new content.

Subscribe to the channel to get notifications when we go live or a new video is uploaded!

All our club live streamed or recorded meetings will be saved and can be re-watched anytime! Not all meetings can be recorded for various reasons.
You can view past virtual or recorded meetings in the playlist below: