Planetarium/Multimedia Presentation:
The Planet of the Dinosaurs
Description:
Planet of the Dinosaurs is a fast-paced, light-hearted show about some of the most fascinating creatures
that ever lived. Archie, a laser-animated Archaeopteryx, is our guide through time. Along the way, we
meet dinosaurs from each of the geologic periods when the dinosaurs were masters of the Earth.
Archie describes some of the bestknown features of many dinosaurs
and explains why he is proud to
have dinosaurs in his family tree.
He summarizes the startling
evidence that leads many modern
paleontologists to believe that
birds are descendants of
dinosaurs.
The show includes a live
customized Digistar tour of the
current evening sky and basic
astronomy lessons.
Basic Information:




Age Level: Grades 3-6 (K- 12th Standards also covered)
Maximum participants per session: 210
Location: Planetarium Theater
Running Time: 40 minutes (at 20 minutes for customized Star Walk).
Components:
 Life on the ancient Earth differed from present-day forms.
 Evidence exists that allows us to characterize plants and animals living hundreds of millions of
years ago.
 The Earth’s land masses and oceans were arranged differently in past ages.
 Ancient reptiles living in the Paleozoic Era included dinosaur ancestors, but not true dinosaurs.
 Dinosaurs occurred in the Mesozoic Era, which is divided into three parts, each lasting tens of
millions of years: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous Periods.
 Dinosaurs were diverse in size, characteristics, and adaptations.
 Current scientific thinking suggests that living birds are related to, or even descended from,
certain kinds of dinosaurs.
 Flying reptiles were neither birds nor dinosaurs, but were distantly related to both.
 Many theories try to explain the extinction of dinosaurs, and one currently popular one involves
the collision of an asteroid with the Earth at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
The Planet of the Dinosaurs - Page 2 of 3
Sunshine State Standards Addressed:
Kindergarten:
•
•
Big Idea #8 – Properties of Matter
K.P.8.1 Sort objects by observable properties such as size, shape, color, temperature, weight &
texture.
Big Idea #14 – Organization and Development of Living Organisms
K.L.14.3 Observe plants & animals; note how they are alike and different in appearance and
behavior.
st
1 Grade:
Big Idea #6 –Earth Structures
•
1.E.6.1 Recognize that water, rocks, soil & living organisms are found on Earth’s surface.
•
1.P.8.1 Sort objects by observable properties such as size, shape, color, temperature, weight &
texture.
•
1.L.17.1 Recognize that all plants & animals need the basic necessities of air, water, food &
space.
Big Idea #8 – Properties of Matter
Big Idea #17 – Interdependence
rd
3 Grade:
Big Idea #5 - The Earth in Space and Time
•
3.E.5.4 Demonstrate that gravity is a force that can be overcome.
•
3.E.6.1 Demonstrate that radiant solar energy heats objects and when sun is absent, heat may
be lost.
•
3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish,
vertebrates, invertebrates, those giving live birth, those laying eggs) according to their physical
characteristics
Big Idea #6 –Earth Structures
Big Idea #15 –Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
th
5 Grade:
Big Idea #5 - The Earth in Space and Time
•
5.E.5.3 Identify solar system objects: Sun, planets, moons, asteroids & comets. Identify Earth's
place in the Solar System.
•
5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow
some plants & animals to survive & reproduce while others die or move to new locations.
•
5.L.17.1 Compare & contrast adaptations displayed by animals & plants that enable them to
survive in different environments such as life cycle variations, animal behaviors & physical
characteristics.
Big Idea #15 –Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
Big Idea #17 – Interdependence
The Planet of the Dinosaurs - Page 3 of 3
th
6 Grade:
•
Big Idea #15 –Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
6.L.15.1 Analyze & describe how & why organisms are classified according to shared
characteristics with emphasis on the Linnaean system combined with the concept of Domains.
th
7 Grade:
•
Big Idea #6 –Earth Structures
7.E.6.5 Explore the scientific theory of plate tectonics by describing how the movement of Earth’s
crustal plates causes both slow & rapid changes in Earth’s surface including volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes & mountain building.
th
7 Grade:
•
th
Big Idea #15 –Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
7.L.15.1 Recognize that fossil evidence is consistent with the scientific theory of evolution that
living things evolved from earlier species.
th
9 – 12 Grade:
Big Idea #6 –Earth Structures
•
912.E.6.3 Analyze the scientific theory of plate tectonics and identify major related processes and
features as a result of moving plates.
•
912.L.15.1 Explain how the scientific theory of evolution is supported by the fossil record,
comparative anatomy, comparative embryology, biogeography, molecular biology and observed
evolutionary change.
912.L.15.4 Describe how & why organisms are hierarchically classified & based on evolutionary
relationships.
•
Big Idea #15 –Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
This project sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State,
Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National
Endowment for the Arts.