Tag: palenotology

Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Did Tiny Algae Doom Mighty Dinosaurs?

SCIENCE Seventy million years ago, they all came to drink in the rapidly drying river: long-necked sauropods, fierce theropods, crocodiles, lizards, and raven-sized birds. They never left. (Science) How are animal remains fossilized? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit.   Discussion Ideas An intriguing new theory suggests that a series of harmful algal blooms (HABs) may have … Continue reading Did Tiny Algae Doom Mighty Dinosaurs?

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

We Didn’t Start the Fire (Until Much Later Than We Thought We Did)

SCIENCE Humans’ ability to control fire is among the most important technological advances in our evolutionary history. Research on Neanderthal cave sites is offering new insights on this old enigma. Maybe not as old as we think. (Sapiens) Could Neanderthals start a fire? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources, including today’s simple MapMaker Interactive map. Discussion Ideas Most people think that … Continue reading We Didn’t Start the Fire (Until Much Later Than We Thought We Did)

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Telltale Tail Trapped in Amber

SCIENCE To scientists’ delight, they’ve identified the first dinosaur tail preserved in amber. The incredible appendage from 99 million years ago is covered in feathers. (Nat Geo News) Learn a little about amazing amber with our study guide. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Scientists just identified a dinosaur tail preserved in amber. What is … Continue reading Telltale Tail Trapped in Amber

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Classroom Ideas, Creature Feature, Current Event Connection, Main

How Did Animals Get Their Skeletons?

SCIENCE Animals with skeletons did not exist before about 550 million years ago. Then, suddenly, shells, exoskeletons, and skeletons showed up in the biological record. Why? (Science) A few of these ancient, armored species are still around. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Life on Earth has been around for about three billion years, but … Continue reading How Did Animals Get Their Skeletons?

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Current Event Connection, Main

12 Things We Learned This Week!

What did you learn this week? Let us know in the comments or at education@ngs.org. This week, we learned … … Star Wars is really about feminism … and Jefferson … and Jesus.   … nihonium, moscovium, tennessine and oganesson will step up to the periodic table.   … how monsoon rains returned to lift India’s spirit and economy. (One assumes it played out like … Continue reading 12 Things We Learned This Week!

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