Parts of the fossil collection at the Sternberg Museum in Hays are coming alive on computer screens.

The museum and the Forsyth Laboratory at Fort Hays State are collaborating on a project to digitize the fossil collection using 3-D scanning.

Sternberg director Reese Barrick says the fossils are photographed and then some will be scanned to produce a 3-D image.

The Hays Daily News reports the 3-D images can be moved around on the computer, allowing someone to look at one image rather than several different photos.

Supporters hope the 3-D images will be used in classrooms. And they say it will allow the museum to show the public more of its collection, which could attract more visitors.