Lessons and demos
- Learning how science works through the dinosaur extinction
Students participate in a quick activity and discuss whether they were doing science. They then read a story about Walter Alvarez, discuss the process of science, and trace his scientific journey using the Science Flowchart. Versions of this activity are available for middle school and high school/college. - Exploring KT extinction patterns
In this lesson for lower level undergraduates or AP biology students, learners are introduced to a data set about mollusk genera that survived and did not survive the KT extinction event. They formulate hypotheses regarding extinction patterns and mechanisms, and analyze the data for evidence relevant to those hypotheses. - How does radioactive decay work?
This simple description of radioactive decay includes links to activities and demos to illustrate this concept to students.
Readers
- Asteroids and dinosaurs
In this online article, readers learn more about how science works as they follow scientists on a journey of discovery toward solving the mystery of the dinosaur extinction. - T. rex and the Crater of Doom
This book is Walter Alvarez’s accessible, firsthand account of discovering and investigating the impact that killed the dinosaurs. - Mass extinction
This tutorial for high school and college students explains that, usually, extinction operates at a fairly constant rate, culling some species while speciation generates new ones. However, at a few points in life’s history the humdrum of regular extinction has been interrupted by mass extinctions. Here, readers learn more about these biodiversity crises. - The nitty gritty on radioisotopic dating
This short article is a more thorough explanation of the theory and geology behind radioactive dating than is typically found in general education textbooks. -
This pamphlet, based on interviews with project scientist Stephen Self, highlights exciting careers in volcanology and geology, and targets middle and high school students. This article was produced by Futurum, a magazine and online platform aimed at inspiring young people to follow a career in the sciences, research, and technology.
General background
- Understanding Evolution
A diverse set of resources for teaching and learning about evolution, including the role that extinction plays in evolutionary processes. - Understanding Science
A diverse set of resources for teaching and learning about the nature and process of science. - Science Education Resource Center
A large collection of pedagogic resources mainly focused on the Earth sciences.
