Geology rocks!

Last Thursday, we had a visit from Katie Schoenenberger, a geologist at the University of Dayton.  Katie explained that she not only studies rocks and minerals but the Earth's processes (natural disasters, glaciers, fossils, etc.). Since we have been discussing root words, the students understood that the word geology not only applies to rocks and minerals, but to the study of the Earth  (geo=Earth, soil).  We explored and discussed the different types of rocks and minerals, how we identify and classify them and how the rock cycle works.  

Placing sedimentary rocks in their proper place.

Using hand lenses and field notebooks, the girls observed and recorded their findings.  We used our senses as we came up with descriptions of each of the rocks that Katie brought in to the classroom.   The girls also experienced how metamorphic rocks form using heat and pressure from their hands to change the shape and form of Starburst candies.  She also left us with samples that we will continue to work with throughout this unit of study.  The girls enjoyed the presentation because we met with a real geologist and learned things by actually looking, feeling, and exploring actual rocks and minerals.  

Forming a hypothesis about how minerals form.

Using hand lenses to get a better look.

Forming metamorphic rocks using Starburst candies.

Explaining how crystals form.

Using heat and pressure to form "metamorphic rocks".