8 Bonus: Hollywood’s Dinosaurs
Optional BONUS Activity: Jurassic Park
First of all, this week is OPTIONAL! If you don’t want to complete this or don’t have access to the Original Jurassic Park Movie you DO NOT have to complete this. BUT it is a good bonus point opportunity and many have found completing this exercise a great learning and entertaining experience!
You will also need the Notes with Gap for Week 8 and the PowerPoint.
If you don’t watch Jurassic Park, check this out!
After watching the Jurassic Park movie check out a couple of these articles and videos about dinosaurs in movies (and some specifically, Jurassic Park):
- Check out some of the other movies this paleontologist offers his opinion on:
Influence of Pop Culture on Science
Despite the inaccuracies in Jurassic Park, it was one of the first movies to bring dinosaurs to life for the general public. It also was one of the first movies to focus on ‘dinosaurs as animals and not monsters’. After the movie Jurassic Park came out, a great deal more funding became available for dinosaur research! That is why there have been so many huge leaps in dinosaur discoveries sing the 1990’s. You will also need the Notes with Gap (minus the JP Movie Notes) for Week 8 and the PowerPoint.
Don’t believe me? It’s TRUE! Read the two articles below to help you with the Post Weekly Quiz:
Who pays for Dinosaur Research?
Jurassic Park and the dinosaur explosion
If you want to read more about the history of dinosaur exploration and how it has changed in the last few decades I would suggest the book:
If you don’t feel like reading the entire book you can check out the interview by the author, Steve Brusatte.
Required End of the Semester Activities
- The two remaining items are required for you to finish off the semester. First is the Exit Survey. Like the Entry Survey at the beginning of the semester you will receive full credit for completing it.
- The other assignment is the Writing Assignment 2 of 2. This is a no internet written answer exam. The only item you MAY use are your Notes with Gaps.