Skip to main content
Toggle User Menu

HHMI BioInteractive

  • Español
  • Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • Classroom Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

The Day the Mesozoic Died

Topic
  • Evolution
  • Paleobiology
  • Extinction
  • Earth Science
  • Earth History
  • Science Practices
  • Explanations & Argumentation
Resource Type
  • Videos
  • Short Films
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Duration
00:33:43
Used In
2 BioInteractive Playlists
Favorited By
21 Users
Share This
View in Spanish
Description

This film tells the story of the scientific quest to explain one of the greatest, long-standing scientific mysteries: the sudden disappearance of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.

The film traces the uncovering of key clues that led to the discovery that an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago, triggering a mass extinction of animals, plants, and even microorganisms. This story can be used in many different science classes, as it presents a stellar example of many different disciplines (geology, physics, biology, chemistry, and paleontology) contributing to a compelling hypothesis.

The “Abbreviated Film Guide” provides a short summary of the film, along with key concepts and connections to curriculum standards.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

Details
Key Terms

asteroid, Cretaceous, dinosaur, foraminifera, K-T boundary, mass extinction, Tertiary

Primary Literature

Alvarez, L.W., W. Alvarez, F. Asaro, H.V. Michel. “Extraterrestrial cause for the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction.” Science 208 (1980): 1095–1108.

Smit, J., J. Hertogen. “An extraterrestrial event at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary.” Nature 285 (1980): 198–200. 
 

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

This resource complies with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 10.11.12
Date Updated 05.14.20
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2.C, HS-LS4.C, HS-ESS1.C, HS-ESS2.A, HS-ESS2.E

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1, EVO-3, SYI-2

IB Biology (2016)

5.1

AP Environmental Science (2013)

I.A, VII.C

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5

Materials
HD (M4V) 1.0 GB
HD (WMV) 1.0 GB
SD (M4V) 421 MB
SD (WMV) 421 MB
Transcript (PDF) 345 KB
Spanish Dub (MP4) 546 MB
Transcript - Español (PDF) 291 KB
Article: The Day the Mesozoic Died (PDF) 8 MB
Abbreviated Film Guide (PDF) 117 KB

Educator Tips

Hear how educators are using BioInteractive content in their teaching.
Educator in front of an image of an erupting volcano Play Video Next Slide Next Slide
/
1-Minute Tips
The Day The Mesozoic Died
Chris Monsour describes how he uses the short film "The Day The Mesozoic Died" in his classroom. The film illustrates the scientific process, showing the evidence that led to the hypothesis that an asteroid impact killed the dinosaurs.
Previous Slide Next Slide
Educator standing in front of a heat map. Play Video Next Slide Next Slide
/
1-Minute Tips
Finding the Crater
Bernice O'Brien describes how she uses the "Finding the Crater" activity to allow her students to build scientific claims from real-world evidence.
View Article
Previous Slide Next Slide
Close Modal

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About the K-Pg Extinction
Showing of
Computer generated image of an early mammal
Short Films
Out of the Ashes: Dawn of the Age of Mammals
Film Activities
Activity for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Lessons
Chemical Signatures of Asteroid Impacts
Lessons
Distribution of Elements in Earth’s Crust
Lessons
Calculating Iridium Fallout From an Asteroid Impact
Card Activities
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: In the Ocean
Lessons
Following the Trail of Evidence
Lessons
Determining the Size and Energy of the K-T Asteroid
Lessons
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: On Land
Card Activities
Finding the Crater
Other Related Resources
Showing of
Film Activities
Activity for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Screen shot from the quiz
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Computer generated image of an early mammal
Short Films
Out of the Ashes: Dawn of the Age of Mammals
Lessons
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: On Land
Scientists at Work
Anthony Barnosky and Kaitlin Maguire Measure Mammal Extinctions at the John Day Fossil Beds
Click & Learn
The Making of Mass Extinctions
Card Activities
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: In the Ocean
Lessons
Following the Trail of Evidence
Card Activities
Finding the Crater
Click & Learn
Deep History of Life on Earth
This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists
Showing of
hhmi-card
Teaching Geological and Evolutionary Processes Using Mass Extinctions
6 Resources
By: BioInteractive
hhmi-card
Teaching Evolution Using Lizards and Tetrapods
7 Resources
By: BioInteractive

HHMI BioInteractive

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy