Hello everyone! I have some thrilling news to share with you. Since 2017, I’ve been working on a project that is very special to me. After two years of planning and preparation, I can finally announce that I’m going to be on TV!
I’m teaming up with PBS and the local station WTTW in Chicago to create a three-part series about something I love: paleontology, nature, and history. This series will explore the fascinating world of ancient life!
I grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, a place full of amazing fossils and interesting geology. Since moving to Chicago, I’ve missed my home, especially the road trips with my family to state and national parks, museums, and cultural centers.
Now, I’m heading back to the northern plains with a production team. We’ll be traveling through five states and visiting many locations to tell the story of this region over 2.5 billion years. I’m lucky to have a lot of help with this project. My co-producer, Ally, and I went on a week-long scouting trip last September, and here are some highlights from that adventure.
Today, Ally and I are visiting our first university and museum. I’m so excited!
On our road trip, we found all sorts of fossils, like turtle bones and mollusks. We even discovered a mammal jawbone recently. It’s like finding hidden treasures!
We also explored the K-T boundary, a fascinating layer of deposits from the asteroid impact that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. You can actually see the line where dinosaur fossils are found below, but not above.
During our trip, we had some car troubles in Glasgow, Montana, but we managed to get a ride to the Port Peck interpretive center, where we saw some amazing dinosaur exhibits.
At one point, I felt like I was riding a dinosaur from the Mesozoic era! It was an incredible experience, and I’m glad it was peaceful out there.
We’re still working on a title for the series, and I’ll start filming in a few weeks. While I’m busy with this project, you might see less of me here, but you can follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes looks.
That’s all for now. Bye!
Imagine you’re a paleontologist on a dig! Use images of various fossils and try to identify them. Research each fossil to learn about the ancient life it represents and share your findings with the class.
Work in groups to create a timeline that spans 2.5 billion years. Include major events like the K-T boundary and the extinction of the dinosaurs. Present your timeline to the class, highlighting key discoveries.
Take a virtual tour of a natural history museum. Choose one exhibit to explore in detail and write a short report about what you learned. Share your report with your classmates to create a collective museum experience.
Unleash your creativity by designing your own dinosaur. Consider its habitat, diet, and unique features. Draw your dinosaur and write a brief description. Present your creation to the class and explain its place in the ancient world.
Write a short story about a road trip adventure similar to the one described in the article. Include unexpected discoveries and encounters with ancient life. Share your story with the class and discuss the importance of exploration in learning about history.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
—
Hey everyone, I have an exciting announcement to share! Since 2017, I’ve been working on a project that means a lot to me. After two years of planning and pitching, I can finally tell you that I am heading to TV!
I’m thrilled to be partnering with PBS and local member station WTTW here in Chicago to create a three-part, three-hour series on something I am truly passionate about: paleontology, nature, and history—essentially, exploring ancient life!
So, what’s the idea? I grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, surrounded by an environment rich in fossils and complex geology. Since moving to Chicago, I’ve really missed my home, including the long drives with my family, our road trips filled with visits to state and national parks, museums, and cultural centers.
I’m heading back to the northern plains with a production team, traveling through five states and visiting dozens of locations to tell the story of this region over a span of 2.5 billion years. Thankfully, I have a lot of help with this project. My co-producer Ally and I went on a week-long scouting trip last September, and here are some highlights from that experience.
Today is the day that Ally and I are visiting our first university and our first museum. I’m so excited!
[Music]
You know, it’s not really a road trip until something unexpected happens.
We found everything here from fossil turtle bones to fossil mollusks, and there was a mammal jawbone discovered recently. It’s like a treasure trove!
There’s also the K-T boundary, which marks the extinction line where you can see the layer of deposits from the asteroid impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. You can actually see the physical line where dinosaur fossils are found below the boundary, and none above it.
[Music]
ALLY: Is that a dinosaur foot?
EMILY: Yes, it’s a dinosaur foot! My hand is where a dinosaur was 167 million years ago.
Despite some car troubles in Glasgow, Montana, we managed to hitch a ride and made it to the Port Peck interpretive center, where they have some dinosaur exhibits.
[Music]
Here we go! Wow, I’m really picking up speed now. This is the closest I’ll ever get to riding a dinosaur in the Mesozoic era. I’m glad it’s quiet out here right now.
We’re still working on a title, and I’m about to start filming in a few weeks. While I’m away, you may see less of me here, but be sure to follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Okay, that’s all for now. Bye!
[Music]
EMILY: It still has remnants on it.
—
This version removes any informal language, emotional expressions, and specific references that may not be suitable for all audiences while maintaining the core message.
Paleontology – The scientific study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. – Example sentence: In paleontology class, we learned how scientists use fossils to understand the ancient world.
Fossils – The preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived in the past, often found in sedimentary rock. – Example sentence: The museum had an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils that fascinated all the students.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, but also including the natural history of the Earth. – Example sentence: By studying the history of the Earth, paleontologists can learn about the different climates and environments that existed millions of years ago.
Geology – The science that deals with the Earth’s physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it. – Example sentence: Geology helps paleontologists understand how the Earth’s layers can reveal the age of fossils.
Dinosaurs – A group of reptiles that dominated the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, millions of years ago. – Example sentence: Dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops roamed the Earth long before humans appeared.
Extinction – The permanent disappearance of a species from the Earth. – Example sentence: The extinction of the dinosaurs is one of the most famous events in Earth’s history.
Adventure – An exciting or unusual experience, often involving exploration or discovery. – Example sentence: The paleontologist’s adventure led him to discover a new species of dinosaur in the remote desert.
Nature – The natural world, including plants, animals, and landscapes, as opposed to human creations. – Example sentence: Studying fossils helps us understand how nature has changed over millions of years.
Discoveries – The act of finding or learning something for the first time, especially something significant in science or history. – Example sentence: Some of the most important discoveries in paleontology have been made by examining ancient fossils.
Museums – Institutions that collect, preserve, and display objects of historical, scientific, or cultural interest. – Example sentence: The museum’s paleontology exhibit featured interactive displays about the lives of dinosaurs.
