Corbin Bullard discovered the prehistoric marine reptile after wandering from his 4-H group during a September 2025 field trip on private land in Jewell County. Members of the Sedgwick County geology 4-H group later worked with adult leaders and other youth over additional visits, uncovering the fossil in eight sections and preserving the skull in a wooden box. The nearly three-foot-long skull was recently displayed during an exhibit on dinosaurs at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan.
Bullard’s project also earned recognition at the county level: his geology educational display won a purple ribbon for grand champion in the Sedgwick County Fair’s geology educational display division. Now, with more than 10,000 4-H projects competing statewide, his Tylosaurus exhibit will be featured at the Kansas State Fair from Sept. 11-20 in Hutchinson, housed in the 4-H Centennial building at the north end of the state fairgrounds.