Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Mass Extinctions Interactive
Extinctions constantly occur, but what sets off a mass extinction event? Young scientists study the data from the previous five mass extinctions to better understand their causes. Then, they learn the impact each extinction had on our...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Day the Mesozoic Died
While this is not the traditional, step-by-step lesson plan, it is chock-full of material that you can easily incorporate into your earth history unit. Its main purpose is to serve as a guide to using a three-part film, The Day the...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
EarthViewer
Almost complete annihilation of the plants and animals on the Earth has occurred at least five times in the past. Young scientists explore each of these events. They learn about the evidence and conclusions for each event and connect...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Finding the Crater
A mass extinction event caused by an impact usually leaves a crater. Scholars use data from 10 different sites around the world trying to determine where to look for the crater. They use data, listing the amount of various minerals to...
Curated OER
History of Life
In this history of life worksheet, students will explore how mass extinctions have occurred on Earth, the different periods of the geological time scale, and scientists' use of fossil records. Students will complete 3 fill in the blank...
Curated OER
Endangered Species and Extinction
Eighth graders determine the difference between extinction and endangered species. Using the internet, they research one endangered species, identify its common and specific name, where it lives and what it eats. To end the lesson,...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
EarthViewer
Can you imagine Washington DC and London as close neighbors occupying the same continent? Learners will be fascinated as they step back in time and discover the evolution of the earth's continents and oceans from 4.5 billion years ago to...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Calculating Iridium Fallout from an Asteroid Impact
Should we be afraid of a large asteroid impact on Earth today? Young scientists estimate the size and composition of an asteroid similar to the one that caused the K-T mass extinction. They apply algebraic formulas to answer questions...
Curated OER
Target Earth
Space scientists use water displacement to determine the mass of a cubic centimeter mini meteorite, and then use it as a small-scale representative of an asteroid. They figure out the orbital velocity of an asteroid. Then they use a...
Curated OER
The Lost World (4 parts)
Tenth graders view this science fiction adventure, though not scientifically accurate, creates opportunities to explore the extinction of dinosaurs and to explore evolution.
Information is Beautiful
How Many Gigatons of Carbon Dioxide...?
Here is an interesting infographic that presents information on the amount of carbon dioxide we can safely release into the atmosphere compared to the actual amount we have released to date.
Curated OER
Crocodiles
Students study crocodiles and how they have survived and adapted over time. In this crocodiles lesson plan students research information on crocodiles.
Curated OER
Patterns of Evolution and Selection
Can your young biologists interpret population graphs, match macroevolution patterns and descriptions, and answer multiple choice questions about evolution? Find out with a comprehensive three-page quiz covering some specific examples of...
Curated OER
State of the Planet's Wildlife
Students view and discuss a video about the challenges facing wildlife on the planet Earth. They define key terms, watch the video, and answer discussion questions about the film.
Curated OER
TARGET EARTH
Students explore the possibility of an asteroid hitting planet earth. In this planetary lesson students complete a lab activity to see the effects of an asteroid hitting earth and compare different craters.
Curated OER
Buddhism
Pair this presentation about the tenets and philosophies of Buddhism with a lecture on world history or world religions.Viewers will appreciate the clarity of the information as well as the colorful maps and images that adorn each slide.
Curated OER
Fossil Hunters!
Students explore the various ways in which geologists create fossil records. Working in pairs, students create a model of a fossil record through a hands on activity. They relate their experience to recent discoveries in geology and...
Curated OER
Volcanic Violence
In this volcanic violence worksheet, students interactively answer 5 multiple choice questions, then click to find answers and explanations.
Other
Hvpm: Mass Extinctions
An overview of the mass extinctions throughout earth history. Each mass extinction has a link to its own page with a list of its possible causes and the species that were most affected.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: Mass Extinctions
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] An organism goes extinct when all of the members of a species die out and no more members remain. Extinctions are part of natural selection. Species often go extinct...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Episd: Human Actions and the Sixth Mass Extinction
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Through studying the past, students will explore extinction patterns and their causes and consider ways to protect biodiversity across the globe.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Earth's Mass Extinction
Asteroid strikes get all the coverage, but "Medea Hypothesis" author Peter Ward argues that most of Earth's mass extinctions were caused by lowly bacteria. The culprit, a poison called hydrogen sulfide, may have an interesting...
BBC
Bbc Nature: Prehistoric Life: Triassic Period
Overview of the Earth in the Triassic Period as told by photos, news, and external links with an emphasis on what grew then, what lived then, the causes of mass extinction, types of fossils, and what life was like in general.
Other
Catastrophism and Mass Extinctions
An overview of Walter and Luis Alverez's theory that a large meteorite crashed into earth causing huge tidal waves, showers of ash, and an enormous dust cloud.