The Making of Mass Extinctions

Launch Interactive
Topic
Resource Type
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Favorited By
19 Users
Description

This interactive module explores the environmental factors and species involved in five major mass extinctions.

Extinction is a normal part of the evolutionary process. But during five periods in Earth’s history, extinction rates greatly exceeded normal levels. This Click & Learn allows students to compare these five major mass extinction events, examine each of their causes, and determine whether a sixth mass extinction is likely in the future.

The “Poster” PDF provides an accessible version of the content in this Click & Learn.

Details
Estimated Time
One 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

anthropocene, asteroid, atmosphere, carbon dioxide, extinction rate, species, sulfur dioxide, supercontinent, timeline, volcano

Terms of Use

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

Version History
Date Published
Date Updated
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

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

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-3.E, EVO-3.G, EVO-3.H

AP Environmental Science (2013)

I.A, III.A, VII.C

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2, 3.3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5

Explore Related Content

Other Related Resources
Showing of
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
Short Films
The Day the Mesozoic Died
Film Activities
Activity for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Screen shot from the quiz
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Day the Mesozoic Died
Card Activities
Finding the Crater
Click & Learn
Deep History of Life on Earth
Card Activities
Weighing the Evidence for a Mass Extinction: In the Ocean
Lessons
Following the Trail of Evidence
This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists
Showing of
hhmi-card
Teaching Evolution Using Lizards and Tetrapods
7 Resources
By: BioInteractive