This interactive virtual tour for younger students lets them 'drive' a quarry truck and visit a rock quarry to see how the rock is mined, processed and transported, and what the aggregate is used for. The tour includes safety tips for visiting quarries. They can also 'restore' an abandoned quarry by planting virtual grass, reeds, and trees, view movies about quarries, and use a virtual microscope ... Full description.

Students investigate variables that may influence the growth of crystals which they have learned to make. There are two options for implementing this activity. The first is open-ended, with the students deciding what variables affect crystal growth and then deciding on the manipulating variables they would like to study. The second is prescriptive and explains to students how to test three variables ... Full description.

In this lesson covers the evolution of a volcanic island from origin to erosion. Students will be able to determine the relative ages of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, given their position in the archipelago and why these islands are so much smaller than the main islands of the Hawaiian chain. They will discover that volcanic islands form over a hot spot on the ocean floor and that islands form ... Full description.

This activity involves separating mixtures of minerals on the basis of their physical properties. Students are shown a piece of granite and see that it is clearly a mixture. Students will try to devise ways of separating some simple mixtures and then see how some of the same methods are used to separate real minerals from mixtures. Students will discover that many useful materials are found as part ... Full description.

This site offers an introduction to minerals, crystals and gems. Lesson plans involve creating a classroom exhibit and investigating rocks and minerals, watching crystals grow, and looking for minerals and mineral products (including a mineral scavenger hunt). There is also a section on Smithsonian resources, including teaching aids, books, and websites. Full description.

At this site the question and answer format is used to provide information about the Earth's magnetic field. Frequently asked questions are linked to detailed answers. Along with standard questions about the magnetic poles and how a compass works, there are sections about geomagnetic models, Space Weather Scales and magnetic field reversals. Links lead to a site to download the latest model as well ... Full description.

In this activity students will work with ice to learn math concepts: perimeter, diameter, circumference, adding decimals, and linear measurement. This math lesson will evolve into an inquiry-based study to determine if the dimensions of the ice will make a difference in the way the ice floats in the water. The inquiry lesson may lead to further inquiry-based investigations for extended learning in ... Full description.

This is the student page for an activity in which students observe and describe physical characteristics of edible samples chosen as models of real rocks or meteorites. Here, they will practice their observation skills on something they are familiar with (candy) to see if someone else can identify the sample after reading their descriptions. Key words, a materials list, and procedures are provided. ... Full description.

This website is provided by ThinkQuest, a global network of students, teachers, parents, and technologists dedicated to youth-centered learning on the internet. This ThinkQuest site is one of over 4000 student created entries. It discusses what rocks are; describes sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks; identifies properties of these rock types; and covers the rock cycle. Mineral identification, ... Full description.

This activity demonstrates how different sizes of rock materials that make up an aquifer affect water movement. Students discover that ground water must be able to move through underground materials at rates fast enough to supply useful amounts of water to wells or springs in order for those materials to be classified as an aquifer. They also learn that for water to move in an aquifer, some of the ... Full description.