Abstract
The paper looks at how scientists claim that dinosaurs may have evolved millions of years ago. The paper discusses how this evolution, which has been constantly changing, was a result of cultural views, scientific advances, and technology. The paper then relates that many people felt that dinosaurs may or may not have existed because they were looking for facts or evidence, which was not forthcoming in the past years; many cultures felt that dinosaurs were creatures that populated only myth or legend. The paper explains that many religions felt that dinosaurs or dinosaur-like creatures were declared from past Bible rituals in terms of mystical, numinous or fighting creatures.

Tags:dinosaurs, slow, stupid

Abstract
This paper looks at the extinction of the dinosaurs and assesses the validity of the arguments put forward by creationists in favor of a biblical explanation for their demise. In particular, the paper discusses whether or not it is plausible to believe that the extinction of the great beasts was occasioned by the flood of the story of Noah's Ark. The paper looks at the biblical time-frame and explores whether or not dinosaurs and humans could possibly have existed contemporaneously. Finally, the paper looks at the plausibility of a great Ark existing and at whether the biblical flood could have ever taken place. The paper concludes that there is just enough evidence available for it to be unwise to dismiss the biblical explanation for the demise of the dinosaurs.

From the Paper
"For one thing, critics of the Ark thesis state that supporters of its existence - such as John Woodmorappe - fail to consider how some creatures ostensibly not on the life-saving vessel (terrestrial snails, to cite one example) could have survived the relentless deluge. Further, critics charge that animals and other living beings which managed to survive the Flood could not possibly have been cared for adequately in any Ark - no matter how big. For instance, those who favor an evolutionary explanation for the earth's past (which necessarily means dismissing biblical accounts of why some creatures persisted into the modern age while others died out) point to the apparent logical improbability of being able to house, feed and sustain thousands of different species in a cramped, confined area; as far the critics are concerned, the example of modern industrial farming simply does not suffice as an explanation for how such an enormous task could have been undertaken (Morton, para.4-5)."

Tags:ark, evolutionism, terrestrial, Noah

Abstract
This paper discusses the Jurassic period of 206 to 144 million years ago and focuses on the Jurassic dinosaurs of the United States. It discusses the fossils that have been found and what they suggest about the creatures that existed then. The paper describes some of the types of dinosaurs that have been discovered and their characteristics as far as can be conjectured.

From the Paper
"It is important to note that we actually have no proof whatsoever how any dinosaur behaved. It is all conjecture and educated guess based on how modern day reptiles behave, and what the fossils tell us about their anatomy. For example we know that the velociraptors and allosaurs had sharp claws on their feet. This indicates that they used them as offensive weapons to dispatch larger prey animals (Anonymous, N.D.)"
"They ranged over North America and ruled wherever they chose to be. There was no animal on the planet safe from them. T rex means tyrant lizard king. He is well named."

Tags:fossil, pangea, reptile

Abstract
This paper traces the history of the evolutionary studies, which have concluded that birds evolved from dinosaurs, and reviews alternative theories of the origin of birds. Next, the author presents the evolution of feathers and flight, the physiology and skeletal similarity of dinosaurs and bird and the molecular evidence of the dinosaurian origins of birds. The paper concludes that most paleontologists agree that birds have descended from the coelurosaurs line of dinosaurs, which had features that were remarkably similar to birds; however, there remains debate over the origin and purpose of the evolution of feathers since feathers also have been found in many non-avian dinosaurs

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Discussion
Brief History of Dinosaurs
Source of the Dinosaurian Origin of Bird's Theory
Alternative Theories of Bird Origin
Evolution of Feathers and Flight
Dinosaur and Bird Physiology
Skeletal Similarities between Dinosaurs and Birds
Molecular Evidence of Dinosaurian Origins
Conclusion

From the Paper
"All modern-day birds are endothermic and scientists have reasoned that their immediate coelurosaurian ancestors might have been endothermic as well. However, enough evidence has been gathered to prove that some of the dinosaurs were, in fact, ectothermic. Nevertheless, some dinosaurian features do suggest that some of the dinosaurs were endotherms. These features include an upright posture and locomotion as evidenced from trackways, body size and length of specific body parts, and soft-part anatomy like organs and feathers. An upright posture is normally associated with increased mobility and activity which in turn is related to food requirements and metabolism."

Tags:archaeopteryx, feathers, fossils, coelurosaurs, flight

Abstract
This paper attempts to prove why the impact theory is the most plausible reasoning behind the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs and so many other species at the K-T boundary. By looking at the substantial amount of evidence for this theory, it examines how the impact theory as opposed to the volcanic theory is currently the most valid explanation for understanding why so many of the world's plants and animals died out at the end of the Cretaceous period.
Outline
What's in a Theory: The History of Mass Extinction Hypotheses
The K-T Boundary: The Cold, Hard Facts
The Impact Theory
The Volcanism Theory
Which is More Plausible?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"As the years progressed and theories for mass extinction began to multiply, the concepts of catastrophism and uniformitarianism were born. Catastrophism is, "the doctrine that major changes in the Earth's crust result from catastrophes rather than evolutionary processes" (Catastrophism). In this definition, "catastrophes" include anything that cannot be explained by solid, proven, unwavering geological processes visible on the Earth. A flood of the magnitude recounted in the Bible would mean that the geological process of the water cycle would have to be sped up tremendously. This is a perfect example of catastrophism because at the time in which it was most widely-accepted, it was perfectly acceptable to society that the Flood was a largely disastrous event brought upon the Earth by God, and not a constant geological process such as weathering or volcanic activity."

Tags:geology, meteor, cretaceous, k-t, boundary, tektites

Abstract
This paper looks at the numerous theories that have been presented over time regarding the reason for dinosaur extinction. The author discusses explanations such as a sudden catastrophic event, like a meteor hitting the earth or a volcanic eruption, and also slow, environmental causes like global warming or shifting plate tectonics.

From the Paper
"First, around the time of the mass extinction of the dinosaurs there was a global climate change. During this time, the environment changed from the warm and mild one present in the Mesozoic era to the cooler one of the Cenozoic. Second, evidence exists to support a massive terrestrial disturbance at the end of the Cretaceous period that included soot in the air, acid rain, the emission of poisonous gases, and a cooling similar to that of a nuclear winter. This terrestrial disturbance caused periods of darkness on the earth as well as a global greenhouse effect. Third, the dinosaurs were only one species that became extinct during this time. According to scientific evidence, approximately 60 percent of all species below the line of the K-T boundary did not exist above that line."

Tags:earth, sudden, impact, environment, volcano, meteor, era, period, mesozoic, cretaceous, k-t, boundary, evidence, science, decline, global, cause

Abstract
"The earth has evolved in geologic terms, but it has also evolved in terms of the life that teems upon it. All the change that can be seen and inferred has to be explained. The argument in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was divided into two camps, the catastrophists and the uniformitarianists.

From the Paper
"The earth has evolved in geologic terms, but it has also evolved in terms of the life that teems upon it. All the change that can be seen and inferred has to be explained. The argument in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was divided into two camps, the catastrophists and the uniformitarianists. The catastrophists explained the changes by resorting to cosmic violence, to a succession of catastrophes that bring about change suddenly. The uniformitarianists saw the earth evolving in a uniform manner over time. Both groups agreed that catastrophes do play a role in the evolution of the earth and that catastrophes still occur to reshape portions of the earth's surface or to bring about biological changes in a relatively short time. However, this is different from holding that a ..."

Abstract
This paper describes the creation and development of Barney the Dinosaur and examines the reasons for its immense popularity among children. The paper also examines why many adults find Barney so objectionable even while children adore his character. The paper points out that there seems to be no middle ground for how people feel about Barney; he is either loved or despised.

From the Paper
"A purple dinosaur named Barney has won the hearts of millions of young fans but has caused a wide range of emotions ranging from mild irritation to outright disgust from the older set. Why? What's with this syrupy T-rex who sings, "I love you, you love me, we're a happy a family..." at the end of his immensely popular 1/2 hour program shown daily on most PBS television stations?"

Tags:sheryl, leach, texas, school, teacher, quality, educational, interactive, entertainment, toddler

Abstract
This paper discusses the method of scientific thinking in theories surrounding the extinction of the dinosaur. It examines several theories, from the outlandish (mental disorders, constipation, mass suicide) to the most widely accepted ones (climatic changes, gradual die-out). The author then combines two theories to create one of his own (a shift in the earth's orbit which initiated climatic and biological changes).

From the Paper
"Over the years our ability to gather evidence from the geologic record has increased. New evidence can do many things to our ideas. It can reinforce them or invalidate them or even create new directions for truth seekers to go. The more valid theories fall into two categories, gradual die out and sudden catastrophic event. Most geologic changes occur gradually so this fact alone gives these theories some credibility. Climactic changes can be devastating over long periods of time, as can biological changes."

Tags:climatic, supernova, explosion

Abstract
The paper discusses the revolutionary special effects and animation used in Spielberg's film, "Jurassic Park." The paper reveals that this film opened the door to a new, eye-popping kind of realism in animation for movie audiences. The paper describes the realism of the dinosaurs and attributes this to the special effects creators, the contractors of the Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) group. The paper examines the technology that ILM used in order to produce such realistic computer-generated images.

From the Paper
"In just about every retail store in America the marketing barrage featured JP action figures, lunch kits, videogames, candy, posters, latex masks, playing cards, children's toiletries, and more, according to Washington State University professor Michael Delahoyde (www.wsu.edu). But it is possible JP would have turned a record profit anyway (it made $870 million worldwide and cost $63 million to produce), without all the marketing trappings, because the animation was so intense and realistic. It was almost like these dinosaurs could walk off the screen and into the lobby where popcorn was being sold."

Tags:visual, movie, computer, effects, realism