Magma Modification in the central Sierra Nevada Batholith part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
Jennifer Wenner, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
This exercise is centered around a suite of rocks from the Sierra Nevada batholith. The activities are designed to give petrology students a capstone experience for the igneous portion of the upper-level Petrology ...

Introduction to Equilibrium Thermodynamics: Salt Dissolution part of Activities
Andrew Knudsen, Lawrence University;
Students dissolve simple salts, halite and sylvite, in water at different temperatures and explore the thermodynamics of this simple system to build a foundation for further studies.

Volcanoes around the Globe (Beta test copy) part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Activities
Mark Abolins, Middle Tennessee State University
Undergraduate non-majors use the Arcview geographic information system (GIS) to explore volcanic hazards and the geochemistry of volcanic rocks. Students explore geochemical data from the GEOROC global database and ...

Deciphering complex fluid-mineral interactions in the palm of your hand part of Cutting Edge:Complex Systems:Teaching Activities
Barb Dutrow, Louisiana State University
This exercise uses polished rock slabs containing veins sealed by copper-bearing minerals to understand the feedback effects in complex fluid-rock systems. By determining the minerals and their relative timing, the ...

Modeling Exsolution (and Perthite Formation) as an Example of Complex-System Behavior part of Cutting Edge:Complex Systems:Teaching Activities
Dave Mogk, Montana State University-Bozeman; Barb Dutrow, Louisiana State University
Students use a physical model, computer simulation, examples from the natural world, visualizations, and overarching thought experiments to explore this phenomenon. Exsolution embodies attributes of a complex ...

Writing chemical reactions part of Activities
John Ayers, Vanderbilt University
This is a simple introduction to writing weathering and redox reactions by hand and by using the Rxn program in the Geochemists Workbench. Its usually the first HW assignment I give in my class "Geochemical ...

Mineral Solubility Calculations part of Activities
John Ayers, Vanderbilt University
Explores the pH dependence of the solubility of quartz, kaolinite, and rare earth phosphate, and familiarizes students with the use of the Geochemists Workbench programs "React" for creating reaction path ...

How Effective is a Remediation System at a Regional Landfill? part of Activities
Kevin Theissen, University of St. Thomas
In this activity, students begin exploring the effectiveness of a remediation system installed at a closed landfill system. Students learn the importance of redox chemistry in a real-world context and build field ...

Modeling U-Series Concordia/Discordia Using STELLA part of Rates and Time:GSA Activity Posters
Kirsten Menking, Vassar College
U-Series dating techniques are widely used to determine the absolute ages of some of Earth's oldest rocks, but the concordia/discordia diagram can be quite difficult for students to grasp. I have produced a STELLA-based lab exercise to develop students' understanding of this important chronologic technique. Students create models of the two isotopic decay systems and run these models to create the concordia diagram. They then carry out experiments in which they "add" or "remove" varying amounts of lead or uranium in simulation of metamorphism. In the course of the lab, students are introduced to the concepts of exponential decay and secular equilibrium as well as modeling concepts such as the creation of if-then statements.

Teaching the nitrogen cycle and human health interactions part of Cutting Edge:Geology and Human Health:Workshop 04:Activities
Margaret Townsend, University of Kansas Main Campus
This activity uses objects, pictures, and text in a matching game to define the nitrogen cycle and the environmental and human health impacts of nitrogen. The game can be used to associate useful and detrimental ...

Geochemistry - Soils Analysis part of Cutting Edge:Early Career:Previous Workshops:Workshop 2010:Teaching Activities
Cynthia Fadem, Earlham College
Students conduct a geochemical analysis of a soil. Choice of activity and group-size allows students to play to their strengths. Each group chooses one of the following analyses: conductivity buffer solution, ...

Sourcing architectural bricks by chemical analysis as an analog for sourcing magmas part of Activity Ideas
Wayne Powell, CUNY Brooklyn College
Wayne Powell Brooklyn College Topic: geoarchaeology, geochemistry, source of magmas Course Type:intro upper level Description Using geochemical indices/discrimination diagrams to constrain the origin of the magma ...

Watershed Science: Working with biogeochemical data in a first-year undergraduate seminar. part of Cutting Edge:Data, Simulations and Models:Workshop 03:Activities
Rachel O'Brien, Allegheny College
Rachel O'Brien Department of Geology, Allegheny College - This is a first-year college course on water and N cycling that involves four active-learning projects utilizing datasets collected by the students ...

Teaching stable isotopes part of Cutting Edge:Data, Simulations and Models:Workshop 03:Activities
Steve Dunn, Mount Holyoke College
Steven R. Dunn Mount Holyoke College - This is a reading assignment in three parts, with problem sets for each part. Part 1 is introductory, part 2 explains isotopic effects of volatilization and fluid flow during ...

From the Indoor Lab to the Outdoor Lab: Using XRF Data part of Cutting Edge:Data, Simulations and Models:Workshop 03:Activities
Robert F. Dymek Washington University
Robert F. Dymek Washington University - Students learn how to prepare samples for XRF analysis by collecting samples in the field and going through each step of the process in order to obtain analyical results. -