Geology Rocks!

Dr. Bruce E. Taggart, a USGS geologist/hydrologist in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, spoke to 80 first graders at the Dr. Leroy E. Mayo Elementary School in Holden, MA, about geology, rocks, and minerals. Taggart gave the presentations at the invitation of Mrs. Hughes, a first grade teacher at the school, so that they could fulfill their earth science curriculum requirement.

Sessions were 30 to 40 minutes in length with "hands on" interactive activities. Taggart taught each session in his geology field gear (field vest, Brunton Pocket Transit, rock hammer, hand lens, etc.). The first session was an introduction to geology and the general structure of the Earth. "I brought the kids cupcakes consisting of three different colored layers to help them visualize the internal structure of the Earth (core, mantle, and crust)," explains Mr. Taggart. When the kids saw the cupcakes they said, "Oohh, cupcakes!" he replied, "No, no, these are not cupcakes. They just look like cupcakes. They are really models." He then explained that a model is a scaled down representation of a larger object. As Mr. Taggart explained and diagramed the internal structure of the Earth on the board, the students held the "models" up to view the layers and then got to eat them. Afterward, one first grader exclaimed, "Models taste good!"

The children examine their "model" of the layers of the Earth.

During the second session, Mr. Taggart presented basic concepts regarding the difference between rocks and minerals and the three kinds of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary). After about 10 minutes of explaining the concepts, and answering and asking questions, the kids adjourned to their classrooms and made some "rocks" on construction paper using different "minerals" (colored sand and cellophane).

The children made some "rocks" using colored sands and paper. Taggert is using one of these rocks to explain the different properties of rocks and minerals to the children.

The third session consisted of a "rock hunting" field trip on the school property. After a few minutes talking about why and how geologists do field work, Taggart gave the students their own sample bags. He broke open many of the rocks the kids founds so they could see a fresh surface and see the difference between the dull weathered outer surface and the fresh inner surface of the rock. The children were extremely enthusiastic and curious to know more about the different kinds of work geologists can do. When asked, "How many of you like going to the beach?" all the kids raised their hands. Taggart told them, "Well, I'm a coastal geologist, and I actually get paid to go to the beach!" They were very surprised to learn that geologists actually do these kinds of fun things as part of their jobs.

The children get ready to hunt for rocks on their field trip.

Dr. Taggart says, "I don't know who was more excited about the sessions--the kids, the teachers, or me! It was just amazing to see how they gobbled it all up and kept wanting more. The excitement was palpable." During the week of the presentations, each of the four classrooms filled up with rocks that the children brought from home to learn more about or share with their classmates. One class even started a "rock museum." At the end of each session, the kids asked many questions about rocks, volcanoes, earthquakes, and dinosaurs.