Dinosaur Project:

Tyranosaurus rex

Dates to Remember

May 9: Start dinosaur project

May 10: in class time for research

May 11 - 14: continue project at home.

May 13 and 14 - lunch and after school time available

May 14: Dinosaur extinction project due

Project:

You are a paleontologist who would like to give the public information about the different theories of dinosaur extinction and which one/ones you believe to be true. The public realises that you are an expert, but they want to know WHY you believe your theory to be true. In your presentation include:

1. The problem
2. Your hypothesis
3. Evidence which supports your hypothesis
4. Any other possible theories
5. Use diagrams to help people understand your hypothesis

Present your information in a way that best suits your presentation style.

Background information

Dinosaurs rules Earth for 150 million years, then suddenly became extinct about 65 million years ago. Many theories have been proposed:

• Small mammals ate the dinosaur eggs
• A deadly virus caused a dinosaur plague
• Vicious meat-eaters ate all of the plant-eaters and then starved to death themselves
• Hungry caterpillars devoured all of the dinosaur's plant-based food supply
• Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction by aliens.

Some of these theories are obviously more believable than others. Over the years, a growing amount of evidence suggests two other theories. Evidence has led many scientists to believe that 65 million years ago, a giant meteor 10km in diameter crashed into Earth. The impact created a crater over 100 km in diameter and ejected enormous amounts of dust and debris into the atmosphere. The cloud of dust encircled the entire Earth and blocked out sunlight for months or even years. Without sunlight, much of Earth's vegetation died off and the plant-eating dinosaurs starved to death. Without any prey to eat, the meat eating dinosaur soon followed.

Is this the end of the dinosaur story? Not according to other scientists. From the fossil evidence, they have developed the theory that dinosaurs did not disappear completely - they evolved into birds. The skeletons of birds have many similar features to small predatory dinosaurs known as theropods. A recent fossil find suggests that some theropods had feathers. However, one scientific theory suggests that this fossil is a fake. What is the real answer?

Outcome: group choice. Poster/video/PowerPoint/web page/Report (done with a word processor) ....etc.

Evaluation: designed by class

Teacher evaluation:

4. demonstrates an excellent analysis and synthesis of the theories of dinosaur extinction.
3. demonstrates an adequate ability to research information resulting in adequate analysis or synthesis of the theories of dinosaur extinction.
2. demonstrates an inability to adequately research the topic and has little understanding of the theories of dinosaur extinction.
1. demonstrates an inability to adequately follow directions resulting in insufficient research techniques and understanding of the topic.

Resources

Ask a Paleontologist - e-mail a paleontologist with a question. You MUST have a copy of your question prepared and shown to your teacher first.

• What is extinction?
• Theories of extinction
• Common questions about dinosaur extinction
• Asteroid theory
• Other theories
• Impact theory
• Theories that are NOT likely
• Something a little different
• Dinosaur game (needs Shockwave)
• All about dinosaurs
• Origin of dinosaurs
• Tyrrell Museum Tour
• Theropods
• Theropods and birds
• Dino-stuff

Theropod (Tyranosaurus)