"Paleobiology—In the News, Highlights, Subjects, and Links" at the National Museum of Natural History—Paleobiology Web Site of Smithsonian Institution Online (1990–)

URL: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/paleo/index.html

SITE SUMMARY: Aiming to reveal its scientists' studies of animals and plants from the time of the dinosaurs, especially as living things in a vibrant ecosystem rather than as isolated fossil remains, the U.S. National Museum of Natural History provides this Web site on paleobiology, including paleobiology in the news that features articles or audio comments by or about staff scientists and their work, highlights including "Discover Dinosaurs" and Dinosaur FAQs, plus paleobiology links (e.g., of plants and algae, dinosaur exhibits, dinosaur extinction, global change, and evolution of terrestrial ecology [ETE]). Also included are a field calendar featuring news of current staff field studies and a Research link that goes to a page of annotated links leading to biographical information on staff paleontologists, their work, and publications. Note in addition information on a program with scientists who visit high schools, and links (e.g., to museums and institutions, organizations and societies, journals, and miscellaneous paleontology Web sites).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

1. Choose a written article or audio comments by, or about, a paleobiologist or paleontologist on the staff of the U.S. National Museum of Natural History. Provide quotations by, and facts about, the paleobiologist or paleontologist and her or his work, especially on a particular study currently being done or just completed, or work for which the paleontologist is most known. Give some biographical data that have connections to the work. (Note: Find articles or audio comments online via links under "Paleobiology in the News" via the main page of the National Museum of Natural History—Paleobiology Web Site. Note also the highlights on dinosaurs for more information on some paleontologists' work. Click the Research link to find links to paleobiologists' or paleontologists' biographical information.)
2. Write profiles of two paleobiologists or paleontologists. One may be of the present, and one of the recent past. One may be featured at the NMNH Paleobiology Web site. Aim to include quotations from and citations of the paleontologists' writings. (Tip: For more information, see the Web sites Amazing Dinosaur Scientists, Dinosaur Detectives, Paul Sereno's Dinosaur Web, and the Granger Papers Project. Their urls are cited in the Related Internet Sites section below.)
3. Click the link to Evolution of Terrestrial Ecology. Identify an ecological era. Suggest how a prehistoric plant and a prehistoric animal fit symbiotically in that era. Extra activity: Include something about a geologic feature of that era. (Hint: For extra help for any part of this question/activity, go to the magazines in the miscellaneous paleobiology links area and find article or article abstracts. You can also do a search for "prehistoric terrestrial ecology, plants, and animals" in a Web directory cited in this book's Appendix E.)
4. Identify the Burgess Scale, foraminifera, and the K/T Boundary along with its connection to dinosaur extinction theories.
5. Study various types of sources and resources, including the National Museum of Natural History Paleobiology Web site's links page with links to resources such as museums and organizations. See also Web sites with sources such as paleontological dig sites, parks and other natural areas; plus field notes, journal entries, field or lab reports, and news. (Web site urls are cited in the Related Internet Sites section below or in this book's chapters featuring the documents "Foreword by Michael Crichton to Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs," "Paleontology: The Window to Science Education," Paper Dinosaurs, and "Perspectives On the Past.") Choose a link for a particular resource on the NMNH Paleobiology Web site's links page. Citing examples from that resource's Web site, identify reason(s) for the importance of this type of resource. Apply the Activity above to each type of resource or source mentioned.
6. Click the dinosaur extinction link in the National Museum of Natural History Paleobiology Web site's main links section. Identify the dinosaur extinction theory featured here, and reveal the viewpoint on the subject at this Web site. Next, go to the "Debates About Dinosaurs" Web site whose url is in the Related Internet Sites section below. Compare or show contrasts between a view here and one at the National Museum of Natural History Paleobiology Web site.
7. Choose another debate topic at the "Debates About Dinosaurs" Web site whose url is cited in the Related Internet Sites section below. Identify the main point and two or three supporting points on the topic, then tell why you agree or disagree, supporting your answer with logical claims and more data from the Web sites referred to anywhere in this book's chapter.

RELATED INTERNET SITE(S)

Amazing Dinosaur Scientists

http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/∼durham/ProjectCurrTech/DinosaurFile

Scroll to Scientist Role on this Internet WebQuest on Dinosaur Science activities page, and click links to find out about the lives and work of paleontologists, sometimes in their own words, and including Cathy Forster ("paleontologist with many hats"), a dinosaur detective, a dinosaur tracker, a dinosaur pursuer, a dinosaur veterinarian, and a Smithsonian Institution scientist. See also "Field Excavator Role," "Lab Preparator Role," and "Museum Curator Role."

Dinosaur Detectives in the Bone Zone at the Dinosaur Interplanetary Gazette

http://www.dinosaur.org/bonezone.htm

This site contains paleontologists' quotes, data from interviews with them, and basic facts about them.

Dinosaur Resources at Internet School Media Center

http://falcoln.jmu.edu/∼ramseyil

Click the Science link, then the Paleontology link, then see the links on the Paleontology page for general sites, dinosaurs, fossils, fossil plants, paleontologists/personalities, geologic time periods, journals, museums, virtual exhibits, and more.

Paul Sereno's Dinosaur Web Site

http://dinosaur.uchicago.edu

Featuring audio highlights of this noted paleontologist's article in the June 1999 issue of Science magazine, this Web site provides Sereno's comments on dinosaur evolution and the evolution of continental drift with the consequences for the dinosaurs. See also the links to information on his expeditions, discoveries, documentaries, current events, biography, publications, and "Project Exploration: Using the Wonders of Science to Inspire City Kids."

Granger Papers Project

http://www.nh.ultranet.com/∼granger or http://users.rcn.com/granger.nh.ultranet

This is an online collection of privately held expedition diaries, letters, photographs, and memorabilia by and about pioneering paleontologists Walter Granger (1872 to 1941) and Anna Granger (1871 to 1952), who explored the western United States, China, Egypt, and the Gobi Desert. The site is codirected by Vincent L. Morgan, author and contributor to the journal Discovering Archaeology, and Katherine R. Morgan, who teaches diary keeping and the writing process in high school. See also in PDF format a detailed Granger biography published in the 2002 New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin, noting especially the chapters "Granger's Scientific Contributions," "Singular Discoveries," and "Eocene in the American West."

Debates about Dinosaurs

http://www.dinodata.net/Discussions/dinosaurs.html

Features links to debates on dinosaur metabolism (e.g., warm blooded or cold blooded), dinosaur lifestyles, the dinosaur/bird link, and theories on what caused the dinosaurs' extinction.