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Idaho Gives, occurring on May 2, is a 24-hour online fundraising event established to celebrate the commitment of local nonprofits to make Idaho a better place to live, work, play and serve.  This year, Idaho Gives unites donors and the IMNH in a fun and engaging initiative to support youth learning. 

The Digital Sculpting Studio will allow students ages 14-17 to learn the fundamentals of computer graphics software ZBrush and the museum’s workflow for creating realistic models of prehistoric animals that once roamed Idaho. The students will also be given first-hand knowledge about the anatomy and life of the North American Lion and Prehistoric Llama by staff paleontologists. 

Students create, 3D print and exhibit a North American Lion (Panthera atrox) and a prehistoric Llama (Hemiauchenia macrocephala) with 3D experts from the Idaho Virtualization Laboratory. This free Digital Sculpting Studio will take place from July 8 - 12 and July 15 -19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is an optional third week for helping to build a museum exhibit, August 5 - 9.

To make a donation supporting the Studio, visit  and donate. Gifts will be matched dollar for dollar up to $3,000 by Idaho Museum of Natural History’s extremely generous donors, Anne Voilleque and Louise Nelson, doubling Idaho Gives donations on May 2.

People who are interested in having a 14-17 year-old attend the Digital Sculpting Studio can apply for the studio by visiting .  A maximum of 12 students will be admitted to the studio and applicants must write a short essay on why they would like to attend the Studio. Contact the Idaho Virtualization Laboratory at (208) 282-5420 or at pruijess@isu.edu for more information.