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Dinosaurs of the Gobi

Viewing Ideas

Before Watching

1. Ask the students to brainstorm types of jobs and responsibilities that are required in paleontology. Encourage them to suggest as many ideas as possible, and list their answers on the board.

2. As they watch the film, have the students make note of the various theories about evolutionary relationships among birds, mammals, and dinosaurs. What types of fossil evidence are used to support or clarify these theories?

After Watching

1. After watching the film, review the lists the students made about the types of jobs related to the field of paleontology. Did they find jobs in the program that surprised them? What are some of the features of the work that students find appealing? What are some of the drawbacks? Emphasize the importance of the process of theory development as one of the central responsibilities of researchers working in the field.

2. Ask students to review some of the evidence that supports the theory that birds and dinosaurs are related. What were some of the features of the "birdlike" dinosaur fossil that was discovered on the dig? What further evidence would students want to see before confidently arriving at a conclusion?