Learning Map
ScienceDinosaurs & Paleontologyusually ages 9–11

The K-Pg Extinction Event

Describe the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K-Pg) extinction event approximately 66 million years ago, including the asteroid impact theory and its evidence (iridium layer, Chicxulub crater), and understand that this ended the reign of non-avian dinosaurs

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Can your child explain what scientists think caused the dinosaurs to go extinct — and describe at least one piece of evidence for the asteroid theory?

Where this sits on the map

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Builds on
Dinosaurs Were Realages 5–7Must understand extinction concept before learning about the K-Pg extinction event
The Mesozoic Eraages 7–9Must know the Cretaceous period before understanding the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary
The K-Pg Extinction Eventthis skill · ages 9–11
Unlocks
Mass Extinctions in Earth Historyages 12–14Advanced K-Pg extinction analysis depends on basic K-Pg boundary and Chicxulub impact knowledge
Changing Scientific Knowledgeages 9–11The extinction debate is a key example of evaluating competing explanations

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Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Birds Evolved from Dinosaursages 9–11 Changing Scientific Knowledgeages 9–11 Dinosaur Hip Groupsages 9–11 How Palaeontologists Workages 9–11

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