Encyclopaedia Britannica Discovering Dinosaurs Activity Guide
Introduction

My Adopted Dinosaur
Did You Have Dinosaur for Dinner Yesterday?
Where Did Everybody Go?
What's New?
Teacher Guide
Britannica Online
Discovering Dinosaurs Spotlight
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What's New?

Now (Serrano) and Then (Buckland)Scientific theories are always changing as scientists continue to make new discoveries. What your parents learned about dinosaurs is probably different from what you are learning. Your children may learn something even more different about dinosaurs.

You may wonder how our knowledge of dinosaurs can change so much when dinosaurs themselves haven't changed since their extinction 66 million years ago. Ideas in science change because of new evidence and new ways of interpreting old evidence.

 

  • Imagine that a time machine has brought an important paleontologist (a scientist who studies life in prehistoric times by examining fossils) forward in time to attend a meeting of modern paleontologists. Before this scientist attends the meeting, you must bring him up to date on developments that have affected his original findings.

  • Work with your classmates to do research and write a booklet that describes how ideas have evolved since the paleontologist first made his discovery and/or developed his theory.

    Whom shall we bring forward in time?

    1   Below are some early paleontologists. Choose one and read about his discoveries and theories in Discovering Dinosaurs. Take notes as you read. The themes and time periods in which you will find information are listed to the right of each scientist's name.

    Edward D. Cope
    Edward D. Cope
    Environment: 1860-1910

    Anatomy: 1860-1910

    Behavior: 1860-1910

    Physiology: 1860-1910
    T. H. Huxley
    T. H. Huxley
    Anatomy: 1860-1910

    Anatomy: 1910-1960

    Physiology: 1860-1910
    Gideon Mantell
    Gideon Mantell
    Anatomy: 1820-1860

    Behavior: 1820-1860
    O.C. Marsh
    Othniel C. Marsh
    Environment: 1860-1910

    Physiology: 1860-1910
    Richard Owen
    Richard Owen
    Environment: 1820-1860

    Anatomy: 1820-1860

    Anatomy:1860-1910

    Physiology: 1820-1860
    Edward B. Hitchcocks finding
    Reverend Edward B. Hitchcock's finding
    Behavior: 1820-1860
    Rev. Edward B. Hitchcock (not pictured) found unusual three-toed footprints in New England in the 1800s. The largest was 20 inches long.

    2   Click on these links for more background information on the scientists. Some of the information may indicate how later discoveries affected their theories.

    Edward D. Cope E.D. Cope
    T.H. Huxley Thomas Henry Huxley
    Gideon Mantell Rocky Road: Gideon Mantell
    O.C. Marsh Othniel C. Marsh
    Richard Owen Richard Owen

    How can we update the paleontologist's ideas?

    1   Go to Discovering Dinosaurs and search under dates later than when your scientist first made his discovery or developed his theory.

  • Look for words closely related to the subject of the scientist's work. For example, if the scientist said dinosaurs were cold-blooded, look for references to "cold-bloodedness."

  • See what changes there were in the thinking about that topic.

    • 3   Explore these dinosaur sites for information on the subject related to your paleontologist's ideas.

    Zoom Dinosaurs
    "The Age of Reptiles" Mural
    Click on the different periods and the animals within each to find information.
    Dinosauria On-Line
    Look in "Jeff's Journal of Dinosaur Paleontology" for information on the subject related to your paleontologist's ideas. There is also a search facility.
    The Dinosauria

    • No matter how your time-traveling paleontologist reacts to the latest news about dinosaurs, it is certain that he will be pleased that the study of dinosaurs has only gained in popularity.

     

    dino tracks