An Introduction to Dinosaurs and Paleontology Using Pokémon

This course is all about dinosaurs and Pokemon! We'll examine over 50 Pokemon and their possible dinosaur inspirations.

In the first recording, we'll start with the history of paleontology, and what people thought about the dinosaurs bones they found in the ground hundreds of years ago. Early paleontology might help explain why Arcozolt, Dracozolt, Arctovish, and Dracovish are such weird looking Pokemon! Next, we will discuss the four main characteristics of dinosaurs, and how the public often misuses the term "dinosaur." We will look at Pokemon that are inspired by ancient animals that are NOT dinosaurs.

In the second recording, we'll take a look at our first type of dinosaur - Therapods - and what Pokemon are inspired by various therapod species. We will also talk about five Therapods that would make great Pokemon.

The third recording is about our next type of dinosaur - Sauropods. We'll go over all of the different Pokemon that are inspired by Sauropods, and explore this dinosaur's unique characteristics.

The final recording covers the three different types of Ornithischian dinosaurs - Ornithopods, Ceratopsians, and Thyreophorans. Since there aren't any Pokemon that are 100% inspired by Thyreophoran dinos (such as the Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus), I'll encourage students to design their own Thyreophoran-inspired Pokemon.

Recording 1:

• What did ancient peoples think of dinosaur bones?

• The beginnings of paleontology

• The main characteristics of dinosaurs

• Examples of ancient creatures that are NOT dinosaurs

• How dinosaurs are classified

Recording 2:

• Introduction to Sauriscian dinosaurs

• Therapods and the Pokemon inspired by them

• 5 Therapods that would make awesome new Pokemon

Recording 3:

• Saurischian dinosaurs, continued

• The differences and similarities between Therapods and Sauropods

• Sauropods

Recording 4:

• Introduction to Ornithiscians

• Ornithopods

• Ceratopsians

• Thyreaphorans