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Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is located in the southern Blue Ridge highlands of North Carolina and covers 489 acres, which includes peaks and upper slopes to the Mount Jefferson mountain. This document introduces students to the geology of Mount Jefferson State Park and focuses on the geologic processes and rocks and minerals of Mount Jefferson. Major concepts covered include the rock types and their uses, rock cycle, weathering and erosion, rock and mineral identification, geologic history, and resource use. Three types of activities are featured: (1) pre-visit activities; (2) on-site activities; and (3) post-visit activities. The pre-visit activities will introduce students to the different rock types, how rocks are formed, how to identify them, and how they weather. Students will also learn about geologic time scale and identify the geologic belts of North Carolina. The on-site activities will familiarize the students with actual rock types of Mount Jefferson State National Area, their characteristics and where they are found. In addition, students will learn how the geology of the Mt. Jefferson area affected the cultural history. The post-visit activities are designed for review and will broaden students' understanding of minerals. The post-visit activity focuses on concepts such as mining, environmental issues and conservation of natural resources. These activities may be performed independently or in a series to build upon students' newly gained knowledge and experiences. A vocabulary list and definitions are listed in the back of the activity packet, along with a list of reference materials used in developing activities. (CCM)

This publication is a collection of 13 hands-on activities that focus on earth science-related activities and involve students in learning about growing crystals, tectonics, fossils, rock and minerals, modeling Ohio geology, geologic time, determining true north, and constructing scale-models of the Earth-moon system. Each activity contains detailed instructions and a list of necessary equipment. (DDR)

This activity packet provides educators with a series of hands-on classroom and outdoor education activities for grades 9-12 that focus on geology using the Pilot Mountain State Park. The packet was designed to meet established curriculum objectives of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Standard Course of Study. Three types of activities are included: (1) pre-visit classroom activities provide background and vocabulary development; (2) on-site activities conducted at the park; and (3) post-visit classroom activities to reinforce concepts, skills, and vocabulary. This learning experience exposes students to the major concepts of classes of rocks, physical properties of rocks and minerals, formation of rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion, geologic processes, rock and mineral identification, rock cycles, and geologic time. The packet contains an introduction to the geologic history of Pilot Mountain; an activity summary; pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activity objectives and instructions; a glossary; a list of 14 references; a scheduling worksheet and program evaluation form; and instructions on conducting a daily meal production plan. (LZ)

This activity guide, developed to provide environmental education through a series of hands-on activities geared to Raven Rock State Park in North Carolina, is targeted for grades 5, 6, and 7 and meets curriculum objectives of the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Three types of activities are included: pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit. The on-site activity is conducted at the park, while pre- and post-visit activities are designed for the classroom. Major concepts included are: rock cycle geomorphology; formation of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks; weathering and erosion, rock and mineral characteristics; and topography. Includes a vocabulary list, scheduling worksheet, parental permission form, North Carolina Parks and Recreation program evaluation and information about Raven Rock State Park. (MKR)

This activity guide, developed to provide environmental education through a series of hands-on activities geared to Medoc Mountain State Park in North Carolina, is targeted for grades 4, 5, and 6 and meets curriculum objectives of the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Three types of activities are included: pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit. The on-site activity is conducted at the park, while pre- and post-visit activities are designed for the classroom. Major concepts included are: composition of rock, chemical and mechanical forces on rocks and minerals, formation or ridges and mountains, properties of rocks and minerals, use of geology field equipment, and uses of rocks and minerals. Includes a vocabulary list, scheduling worksheet, parental permission form, North Carolina Parks and Recreation program evaluation, and information about Medoc Mountain State Park. (MKR)

This learning packet, one in a group of eight, was developed by the Crowders Mountain State Park in North Carolina for Grades 5-7 to introduce students to the geology of the Kings Mountain range in the park. Loose-leaf pages are presented in nine sections that contain: (1) introductions to the North Carolina State Park System, the Crowders Mountain State Park, the park's activity packet, and the geological history of Crowders Mountain; (2) a summary of the activities that includes major concepts and objectives covered; (3) a pre-visit activity to introduce the sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock classifications and explain the rock cycle; (4) an on-site activity to enable students to identify two rocks and four minerals; (5) a post-visit activity to enable students to understand how daily materials come from the earth's resources; (6) a list of 66 related vocabulary words; (7) necessary park and parental permission forms for the visit; and (8) blank pages for taking notes. Contains 26 references. (MDH)

This lesson plan is intended for use in conducting classes on plant tissues. Presented first are an attention step and a series of questions and answers designed to convey general information about plant tissues and the effect of water and minerals on them. The following topics are among those discussed: reasons why water is important to plants, the importance of proper and thorough watering to plant growth, conductive tissue in plants, plant components involved in transporting nutrients (minerals) and water, systemic pesticides, osmosis, active transport of plant nutrients, and transpiration. Also provided are the following: a glossary of pertinent scientific terms, four worksheets, answers to the worksheets, a quiz and quiz answers, five overhead transparency masters, and a lesson plan for helping students understand the function of xylem tissue in celery and flowers. Included in the lesson plan are an objective, list of equipment needed, and detailed steps for completing the activity. (MN)

Ten activities that feature a hands-on, student inquiry-based investigatory approach to rocks and minerals are presented. "Guided discovery" and/or inquiry instructional strategies are emphasized. They focus on a student-centered active classroom. Each activity includes the heading, science content, the scientific process skills, objective or purpose, the lesson outline (time, minerals, preparation, procedure), and worksheets to be handed out to students. Mineral identification, classification, and characteristics of minerals and rocks (streak and hardness) are the subjects of the activities. (KR)

This booklet was produced in an effort to increase the awareness and appreciation of young people for the Earth's resources. The Mining Education Glossary is intended to provide easy reference to mining terms which are used in the minerals recovery industry and as a useful resource for teaching basic learning skills. Accompanying the glossary are 28 mining games designed to help students at all grade levels learn language arts skills including spelling, vocabulary development, word usage, pronunciation and the meanings of words that might be used in various related study units. Activities involve students in word search games, crossword puzzles, and other language and word power learning experiences. Activity instructions are designed for students and allow for independent study. Each activity also contains teacher information. (LZ)

Presents an activity in which students are assigned occupations that rely on specific minerals. To obtain the needed minerals, students learn how to trade services and commodities. Includes details on preparation, modeling behaviors, and printed materials. (DDR)

Applies chemistry to earth science, uses rocks in chemistry laboratories, and teaches about transition metal chemistry, oxidation states, and oxidation-reduction reactions from firsthand experiences. (YDS)

Discusses teaching techniques for teaching about rocks, minerals, and the differences between them. Presents a model-building activity that uses plastic building blocks to build crystal and rock models. (YDS)

Presents an earth science activity on rocks to demonstrate the vital links between minerals and rocks. Uses different kinds of breads to demonstrate that rocks, like breads, are composed of various ingredients in different proportions. (ASK)

Explains the basics of soil color and the Munsell Soil Color Chart. Presents a chart showing the relationship between minerals and soil color. Introduces a soil color activity. (YDS)

This assessment sample provides information on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) for grade 7 science. The sample consists of seven items taken from the test booklet and scoring guides for the seven items. The items assess heat, minerals, graphing, and plant growth. (MM)

This skills inventory for mining occupations was developed by a technical committee in Montana to assist in the development of model curricula and to address state labor market needs. The committee included employers from the mining industry, members of trade and professional associations, and educators. The validated task list and defined job clusters are intended to provide information on the type and level of knowledge and skills needed for entry, retention, and advancement in Montana mining occupations. The guide contains the following: (1) Montana supply and demand occupational information; (2) occupational characteristics of selected jobs in the mining industry; and (3) task lists for seven major areas of training in mining and minerals--geology, soils, and hydrology; land reclamation; heavy equipment operators and maintenance; surveying; drafting and computer-aided design; petroleum technology; and occupational health, safety, and materials handling. The document includes information on training time for mining occupations; mathematics and language training time; physical demands; and environmental working conditions. (KC)

Presents activities that allow students to think about the Earth in a contextual manner and become familiar with constructive and destructive processes as they relate to sand - its origins, cyclical processes, and yielding of new products. Explores the bigger idea with a developmentally appropriate study of water, rocks, sand, physical phenomena, principles of energy, fossils, and the tectonic cycle. (JRH)

Describes an approach that uses the learning cycle to meaningfully teach students about mineral properties while alleviating the tedious nature of identifying mineral specimens. Discusses mineral properties, cooperative learning, and mineral identification. (JRH)

This publication presents students with facts about geology and several learning activities. Topics covered include rocks and minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, fossils, exploration geology, mining in Minnesota, environmental issues related to mining, mineral uses, mining history, and the geology of Minnesota's state parks. A geologic timetable relates the earth's eras with rocks in Minnesota, events in Minnesota, and characteristic life of the periods. This timetable is accompanied by an activity demonstrating the formation of sedimentary rocks. An article about fossils is accompanied by an activity that allows students to make their own fossils from clay and plaster of Paris. Activities demonstrating drill core sampling and the difficulty of mining through a chocolate chip cookie are related to various articles on mining in Minnesota. A feature about the Hull Rust Mahoning mine in Hibbing, Minnesota, discusses taconite, a low-grade iron ore. This feature includes a sidebar explaining mines and the mining industry in Minnesota. Other activities in this publication consist of word games, quizzes, and mazes. (PVD)

While rocks and minerals are often regarded as among the most static and solid objects, the body of knowledge of which they are part is always changing. This teachers guide contains activities and experiments designed to enhance students understanding of geology and petrology. By examining actual specimens of the Earth's crust, students learn about basic processes that have shaped and transformed the Earth over billions of years. Students' experiences with these real objects, rocks and minerals, combined with simulations of Earth processes, lead to deeper understandings and more abstract concepts such as how rocks form, rock cycles, and plate tectonics. Throughout the unit students find and collect interesting rocks and minerals, observe them with magnifying lenses, compare different samples, and make inferences about large classes of rocks. In addition, students conduct simulations and an experiment to find out more about how rocks and minerals are formed. Topics include: properties of rocks and minerals; distinguishing rocks from minerals; the shape of mineral crystals; formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; recycling the Earth's crust; and classifying rocks and minerals. A list of resources, assessment suggestions, and literature connections are also included. (JRH)

Presents the "mine to my home" concept (explore-mine-process-consume-recycle). Provides a large, color poster and many activities for teaching this concept. (PR)

Reviews The Best of BAESI: Earth Science Activities & Recommended Resources from the Bay Area Earth Science Institute. The Best of BAESI is divided into two parts. Part I contains 19 classroom activities on topographic maps, rocks and minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics. Part II describes resources and identifies government agencies and organizations for earth-science teachers. (AIM)

Gold's physical and chemical properties are without equal for use in high-tech fields such as medicine, space, architecture, and electronics. This article, with an accompanying poster on gold, contains the following sections: Lore and Legends; Matter, Metals, and Minerals; The Origins of Gold; Mining and Recovery; Cultural Crossroads; Modern Technologies; and Did You Know. (PR)

Describes amber and its hardened form called copal. Explains how amber is formed and where it comes from. Discusses possibilities of obtaining DNA from insects caught in amber. (PR)

Many active athletes do not consume enough zinc or iron, which are important for oxygen activation, electron transport, and injury healing. Subclinical deficiencies may impair performance and impair healing times. People who exercise regularly need counseling about the importance of adequate dietary intake of iron and zinc. (SM)

Discusses MAX, an interactive computer program for teaching identification of clay minerals based on standard x-ray diffraction characteristics. The program provides tutorial-type exercises for identification of 16 clay standards, self-evaluation exercises, diffractograms of 28 soil clay minerals, and identification of nonclay minerals. (MDH)

There is ample evidence of the seriousness of the world's population, resource, and environmental problems--poverty and hunger, deforestation and species loss, soil erosion and desertification, air and water pollution, acid precipitation and ozone layer depletion, as well as the greenhouse effect and climate change. This handbook was prepared as a stimulus to action. A first step toward action is a better understanding of the complex interrelationships among major global problems and some of their potential solutions. A major theme of this book is that the issues covered are highly interdependent, therefore a topic that receives major coverage in one chapter may also be discussed in other chapters. This handbook provides basic facts about global population, resource, and environnmental problems, demonstrates how these problems affect the lives of citizens of the United States and other countries, cites successful efforts to alleviate the problems, proposes alternative solutions based on the best information available, suggests how individuals and groups can participate in achieving solutions, and gives sources of further information and assistance. The issues covered in this handbook include: (1) foresight capability; (2) population growth; (3) development and environment; (4) food and agriculture; (5) biological diversity; (6) tropical forests; (7) ocean and coastal resources; (8) fresh water; (9) nonfuel minerals; (10) air, atmosphere, and climate; (11) hazardous substances; (12) solid waste management; and (13) global security. Each chapter provides specific suggestions of "What You Can Do," and each chapter concludes with a "Further Information" section listing books, articles, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and teaching aids related to the chapter. Chapter 17, entitled "What You Can Do," contains sections on "Starting with Education" and "Work with Colleges and Universities." The appendix lists names and addresses of organizations and suppliers of audiovisual materials that are referred to in the chapters. (KR)

The demonstrations presented in this article relate to everyday life, address interdisciplinary aspects, and have implications for the life sciences. Topics of the demonstrations are electricity calculations, astronomy, electrolysis of water, ester synthesis from butyric acid and pentanol, catalysis, and minerals. (PR)