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What Killed the Dinosaurs? (continued)
3. The Task
a. You and your team of paleontologists have just been appointed by Harvard University to determine the cause of the
extinction of the dinosaurs (DI). The teams will research the possible causes of the extinction event and determine which
theory is most plausible. You will need to persuade the other teams and the director of research (the teacher) (UDL 8.3).
Be sure to be aware of the shortcomings of the theories you did not choose.
4. The Process (UDL 6.2)
a. First, read the general resources. Then, each team member will choose one possible cause of extinction to research
(impact, volcanic, climate change). Each team member will write a brief summary including the supporting evidence.
b. The teams will choose the theory that they deem most plausible.
c. The teams will create a presentation in the medium of their choice (UDL 1.1, 7.1). The presentation may be a
powerpoint poster, slideshow, or an actual poster (UDL 5.1). The presentation should persuade readers of the theory
that the team chose, as well as present evidence of why other theories fall short (UDL 8.3). Be sure to review the
evaluation section so that your presentation meets the necessary requirements.
d. The director of research and the other teams will decide which theory is most plausible.
e. General Resources (UDL 6.3)
i. https://www.qm.qld.gov.au/microsites/dino/02-dinosaur-extinction-theories/dinosaur-extinction-theories.html
ii. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/extinction/dinosaurs/low_bandwidth.html
f. Impact Resources
i. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-an-asteroid-caused-extinction-of-dinosaurs.html
ii. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/dinosaurs-ancient-fossils/extinction/impact
iii. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/02/new-theory-behind-asteroid-that-killed-the-dinosaurs/
g. Volcanic Resources
i. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/dinosaurs-ancient-fossils/extinction/deccan-traps-volcanoes
ii. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/extinction/dinosaurs/volcanism.html
iii. https://www.science.org/content/article/did-volcanic-eruptions-help-kill-dinosaurs
h. Climate Change Resources
i. https://www.science.org/content/article/ancient-global-warming-spikes-suggest-dinosaurs-died-double-disaster
ii. https://www.inverse.com/science/did-climate-change-wipe-out-the-dinosaurs
iii. https://geology.ufl.edu/news/2016/what-really-killed-the-dinosaurs/
