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Interactive Assessment for The Day the Mesozoic Died

Start Video
Screen shot from the quiz

Topic

  • Evolution
  • Paleobiology
  • Extinction
  • Earth Science
  • Earth History
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Explanations & Argumentation

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Interactive Videos

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
33 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

Several questions are embedded within the short film The Day the Mesozoic Died, which 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 several science classes, as it presents a stellar example of many different disciplines (geology, physics, biology, chemistry, and paleontology) contributing to a compelling hypothesis.

This version of the film with embedded questions contains automatic pause points, during which students answer questions about the film to assess their understanding of the concepts presented. After answering all the questions, students can view and print their answers.

Student Learning Targets

  • Explain how the evidence presented in the film supports the hypothesis that the K-T extinction was associated with an asteroid.

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

asteroid, Cretaceous period, dinosaur, foraminifera, geologic record, K-T boundary, mass extinction, Paleogene period, Tertiary period

Primary Literature

Alvarez, Luis W., Walter Alvarez, Frank Asaro, and Helen V. Michel. “Extraterrestrial cause for the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction.” Science 208, 4448 (1980): 1095–1108. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.208.4448.1095. To access this article, set up a free AAAS account.

Smit, J., and J. Hertogen. “An extraterrestrial event at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary.” Nature 285, 5762 (1980): 198–200. https://doi.org/10.1038/285198a0.

Terms of Use

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

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

Interactive media meets criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 03.25.15

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS4-5, HS-ESS1-6; SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.M, EVO-3.E, EVO-3.G, ENE-4.B, SYI-2.C; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

5.1

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.5
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.G

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5; DP1

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
The Day the Mesozoic Died

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Showing of
Screenshot of CGI dinosaurs reacting to the asteroid strike
Film Activities
Activity for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Cross-section of the Earth
Lessons
Chemical Signatures of Asteroid Impacts
Image from the activity
Lessons
Distribution of Elements in Earth’s Crust
Computer image of the meteor hitting the earth from the activity
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Calculating Iridium Fallout From an Asteroid Impact
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Card Activities
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: In the Ocean
Photo of a finger pointing to the K-T layer
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Following the Trail of Evidence
Image of a prehistoric mammal taken from the film.
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Activity for Out of the Ashes
Computer illustration of the asteroid that struck Earth
Lessons
Determining the Size and Energy of the K-T Asteroid
Lessons
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: On Land
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Card Activities
Finding the Crater
Computer generated image of an early mammal
Short Films
Out of the Ashes: Dawn of the Age of Mammals
Title screen of the film
Short Films
The Day the Mesozoic Died

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Screenshot of CGI dinosaurs reacting to the asteroid strike
Film Activities
Activity for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Title screen of the film
Short Films
The Day the Mesozoic Died
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
The Making of Mass Extinctions
Image of a prehistoric mammal taken from the film.
Film Activities
Activity for Out of the Ashes
Lessons
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: On Land
Computer generated image of an early mammal
Short Films
Out of the Ashes: Dawn of the Age of Mammals
Photo of Barnosky and Maguire from the film
Scientists at Work
Anthony Barnosky and Kaitlin Maguire Measure Mammal Extinctions at the John Day Fossil Beds
Image from the activity
Card Activities
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: In the Ocean
Photo of a finger pointing to the K-T layer
Lessons
Following the Trail of Evidence
Image from the activity
Card Activities
Finding the Crater
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