Frontiers of Science Online

In this final lecture of three in the Frontiers of Science unit on climate change, Columbia University Professor Peter deMenocal discusses the scientific exploration of the nature of the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event. He explores the alternative hypotheses for the event that have been put forward over the years and provides examples of current supporting evidence. The lecture also emphasizes how dogma can be the enemy of scientific progress when it causes scientists to see what they expect to see instead of what the data actually shows. A lecture transcript and companion PowerPoint presentation are also available on FoSO.

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In this last of three lectures in the Frontiers of Science unit on climate change, Columbia University Professor Peter deMenocal discusses the scientific exploration of the nature of the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event. He explores the alternative hypotheses for the event that have been put forward over the years and provides examples of current supporting evidence. The lecture also emphasizes how dogma can be the enemy of scientific progress when it causes scientists to see what they expect to see instead of what the data actually shows. A lecture video and companion presentation are also available on FoSO.

In this class activity, students will investigate data on the fossil record at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. They will apply their understanding of geology, meteorology, and related disciplines in order to determine whether or not the fossil record supports a meteorite strike playing a role in the extinction of the dinosaurs. This document contains student handouts; an instructor guide is provided in the accompanying documents.

In this class activity, students will investigate data on the fossil record at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. They will apply their understanding of geology, meteorology, and related disciplines in order to determine whether or not the fossil record supports a meteorite strike playing a role in the extinction of the dinosaurs. This document serves as an instructor guide; student handouts are provided in an accompanying document.

In this last of three lectures in the Frontiers of Science unit on climate change, Columbia University Professor Peter deMenocal discusses the scientific exploration of the nature of the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event. He explores the alternative hypotheses for the event that have been put forward over the years and provides examples of current supporting evidence. The lecture also emphasizes how dogma can be the enemy of scientific progress when it causes scientists to see what they expect to see instead of what the data actually shows. A lecture video and transcript are also available on FoSO.