Sessions

 

Session 1: What is Geology?

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

What is geology? What does a geologist do? Why should I learn about geology? Students will learn the answers to these questions. We'll also take a look at the eighteen subdivisions of geology. We'll learn why studying these three branches of geology is important and what can we learn from them. Students will be introduced to the term geological record and the layers of the earth.

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Session 2: Geological Time

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will learn about the Father of Geology, James Hutton, and the principal of uniformitarianism. The class will learn how geologist date geological records using the Law of Superposition, Principle of Original Horizontality and the Principal of Cross-Cutting Relationships. They will learn how to read inclusions, unconformities and correlating rock layers. Students will learn what the different types of fossils are and how they are created. They will explore how to use the fossil record combined with correlating layers to determine the geological historical record. The class will also learn how to use radiometric dating to aid in establishing an geological timeline. 

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Session 3: Geological Timeline Part A

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will discover how the earth and our solar system was created. They will learn about the earth's five mass extinction events. We will begin to explore the geological history of earth. We will learn the terms eons, periods and eras. We'll learn the names of all the eons, periods and eras that our planet has gone through. We'll explore each eon, period and era and discover what was happening on earth during those times.

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Session 4: Geological Timeline Part B

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

The class will discuss their homework.We will finish exploring the geological history of earth. We will learn the terms eons, periods and eras. We'll learn the names of all the eons, periods and eras that our planet has gone through. We'll explore each eon, period and era and discover what was happening on earth during those times.

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Session 5: Plate Tectonics

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will share their geological timeline. Students will learn who Alfred Wegener was and what is his Theory of Plate Tectonics. We'll take a look at the historical movement with each tectonic plate and how they are moving towards each other to form one continent. Students will explore the three different plate boundaries: divergent, transform and subduction. We'll create our own plate boundaries using Milky Way minis. Students will learn how plate tectonics is responsible for earthquakes, the spreading of the sea floor and volcanoes. We'll take a look at a current plate boundaries map and discover how these boundaries affect our world. 

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Session 6: Volcanoes, Geysers and Supervolcanoes 

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

The class will discuss their homework. Students will learn about the different types of volcanoes: fissure, shield, dome, ash-cinder, composite and caldera. Students will understand the different stages volcanoes go through (active, dormant, and extinct). We'll explore the anatomy of a volcano and learn how volcanoes create new land. Students will understand what a hot spot is and where the Ring of Fire is located. Students will learn how geysers are formed and about the super volcano that lies under Yellowstone National Park. 

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Session 7: Earthquakes and Tsunamis

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

The class will discuss their homework. Students will learn about the different types of faults. The class will compare and contrast the Richter and Mercalli Scales. We'll learn how Tsunamis are formed. Students will understand how earthquakes affect our world and how to be prepared for them.

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Session 8: Minerals

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will learn that minerals are the building blocks of all rocks. Students will learn how geologist use the Mohs Hardness Scale to test the resistance of a given mineral. They will learn the different types of minerals that are used to compare against a test mineral to determine the results of the test. Students will learn about the properties of minerals, where to find them and how we use them.

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Session 9: Rock Cycle, Weathering, Erosion and Deposition

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

Students will learn what the rock cycle is. The class will understand the difference between weathering, erosion and deposition. Students will identify the different types of weathering, erosion and deposition. 

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Session 10: Sedimentary Rocks 

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

The class will discuss their homework. Students will learn the three different types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic). The class will discover how sedimentary rocks are formed. We'll learn about the different types of sedimentary rocks. 

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Session 11: Fossil Formation and Laws of Stratigraphy

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

The class will discuss their homework. Students will learn the Laws of Stratigraphy and how fossils are formed. We'll discover the different types of fossils (mold, cast, trace and true form) and how plants or animals can turn into fossils (unaltered preservation, permineralization=petrification, replacement, carbonization=coalification, recrystalization and authigenic preservation). 

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Session 12: Igneous Rocks

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

The class will discuss their homework. Students will learn how igneous rocks are formed. We'll discover the different types igneous rocks (extrusive and intrusive) and what it makes them form. 

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Session 13: Metamorphic Rocks

LESSON OBJECTIVES: 

The class will discuss their homework. Students will learn how metamorphic rocks are formed. We'll discover the different types igneous rocks (foliated and non-foliated) and what it makes them form. The class will review the different geological processes.  

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