This Kapow pupil video is part of the Kapow Science scheme of work . It is designed for pupils and explores the history, structure, and dramatic impact of asteroids within our Solar System. The video begins by introducing the asteroid belt, home to millions of rocky, metallic, and icy objects orbiting the Sun, and explains how some asteroids can be knocked off course, sometimes with catastrophic consequences.

The narrative focuses on one of the most significant events in Earth’s history: the asteroid impact that ended the age of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Pupils learn how this massive asteroid triggered firestorms, tidal waves, global darkness, and the mass extinction of countless species. The video concludes by tracing the survival and rise of birds, descendants of dinosaurs, who adapted and thrived in the changed world, eventually claiming the skies.

The video is designed to be shown to pupils as part of Science, Upper key stage 2, Year 5, Making connections: Does the size of an asteroid affect the diameter of its impact crater?, Lesson 1: Investigating asteroid craters – Planning