This University of Bristol page discusses the process and importance of studying dinosaur tracks and trackways. Beginning with footprint morphology and preservation, it covers track taphonomy, ichnotaxonomy, dinosaur posture and stance, behavior, gait and speed, paleoecology and how to identify the trackmaker. Links are provided for additional resources. Full description.

For over 100 years, the idea has been growing that birds are directly descended from dinosaurs. And today, most paleontologists subscribe to that notion. But there are dissenting voices taking issue with the prevailing orthodoxy. Do they have a point? This radio broadcast contains discussion from paleontologists at a site in the Liaoning Province in northeastern China where an extraordinary series ... Full description.

This site offers learners an opportunity to piece together clues to how one of our early ancestors looked as they examine images from four significant fossil finds of Australopithecas afarensis. These fossils include footprints from Laetoli, Tanzania and the Hadar skull, first family, and Lucy from Hadar, Ethiopia. This interactive display offers information on the following topics: How did they move?, ... Full description.

This powerpoint hosted by the National Park Service (NPS) educational site introduces the concepts behind the science of paleontology. Specifically, this show discusses how paleontologists put clues together to interpret what happened millions of years ago in the history of the Earth. This includes using maps and stratigraphic columns to find places to look for fossils, removing fossils from their ... Full description.

Information at this site will help teachers to avoid potential pitfalls when teaching evolution. It will help teachers to understand why they should use function not purpose, evidence not proof, and why they should refer to accepting what the evidence shows rather than believing in evolution. There are also cautions about when to use the terms 'primitive/advanced' and 'theory/hypothesis'. Other potentially ... Full description.

In this activity, students will identify an assemblage of fossils, determine their age, evaluate the fossil population, and make some inferences about the ancient environment in which they existed. The discovery aspect of this exercise is that all of the fossils the students will find existed together in only one time period. The environment of these fossils, a fresh water lake, is ascertained from ... Full description.

This lesson plan is about the process by which paleontologists locate, excavate, and study dinosaurs. Students will write journal entries pretending they are on a dinosaur dig. They will also make fact sheets about this recently discovered Jobaria dinosaur; place Jobaria into a timeline to indicate the periods in which it lived; visit a website to learn about the steps involved in finding and excavating ... Full description.

This lesson takes advantage of younger students' natural fascination with dinosaurs and explores the following questions: 'What happened to the dinosaurs?', 'Does anyone really know for sure?',and 'What is the difference between fact and fiction?'. Through the use of an interactive feature, video, and classroom discussion, students should understand that dinosaurs once lived on Earth but have completely ... Full description.

This lesson explores various hypotheses concerning the extinction of the woolly mammoth. Students will explore a Web resource that presents various hypotheses about why the woolly mammoth became extinct, with a special focus on an infectious disease as the cause. As part of the lesson, students will read an online article about the extinction of the mammoths, which poses questions and possible answers ... Full description.

The University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) microfossil collections include type and figured specimens, thousands of mounted and strewn slides, as well as processed material and bulk samples. The searchable catalog lets users search for specimens by collection name, specimen number, family, genus, species, or by location and/or geologic time period. It is also browseable by class or ... Full description.