Using Field Lab Write-ups to Develop Observational and Critical Thinking Skills part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology:Activities
This adaptation of field labs incorporates writing in the form of "Description" and "Interpretation" sections of a geologic report. It can be used in many types of field labs to improve critical ...

Structural Control of Giant Rock Avalanches in Argentina part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology:Activities
Students analyze the influence of bedrock structures on the locations of giant rock avalanches in Argentina. Activity is available in two versions: 1) short case example that can be used as an in-class activity or ...

Borehole analysis using stereographic projection part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology:Activities
Advanced stereonet project using unoriented core structural data. The project gives practice in plotting small circles and in rotations. -

Metamorphism of siliceous dolostone: An example from the Alta stock, Utah part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
In this exercise students study the low variance mineral assemblages from the contact aureole of the Alta stock to learn how rock and fluid compositions control mineral assemblages during contact metamorphism.

Evolution of Normal Fault Systems During Progressive Deformation part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology:Activities
This activity is based on QuickTime movies and color digital photographs derived from sandbox experiments that produce normal faults in a variety of boundary conditions following experiments developed by Ken ...

Igneous Rock Compositions and Plate Tectonics part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
In this exercise, students use whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions of igneous rocks from a variety of tectonic settings and locations to explore the importance of plate setting in determining magma ...

Mass Balance and Mineral Reactions part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This is a short exercise to make sure that students understand mass balance and how the different starting assemblages may lead to different results after metamorphism. It is quick but not trivial.

Water Wars: A look at Gallatin Valley Water Controversies part of Cutting Edge:Public Policy:Activities
This virtual field trip explores the science and policy of a ground water dispute in Gallatin Valley Montana. The virtual field trip uses a role-playing activity to explore the geology, hydrology and policy related ...

Sediments and the Global Carbon Cycle part of Cutting Edge:Sedimentary Geology:Activities
This is a series of exercises designed to introduce undergraduate students to the role of sediments and sedimentary rocks in the global carbon cycle and the use of stable carbon isotopes to reconstruct ancient ...

Mineral Classification - What's in a Name? part of Cutting Edge:Mineralogy:Activities
Students derive their own scheme for identifying and naming minerals. Examples include different minerals that have the same crystal forms, and mineral species that occur with numerous forms and varieties to ...

Examination of Igneous Silicates part of Cutting Edge:Mineralogy:Activities
Students study hand samples of light-colored igneous minerals and related mineral species. They look at some of the same minerals, and others, in thin section.

Modeling Glacier Erosion Through Time part of Cutting Edge:Climate Change:Activities
This lab could be adapted for an introductory geology course, upper division geomorphology course, or a climate change course. This activity is borrowed from John Harbor's paper in the Journal of Geoscience ...

Exercises to teach scientific reading comprehension and mineralogic concepts part of Cutting Edge:Mineralogy:Activities
With a set of tasks and questions as a guide, students read through an article doing the tasks and answering questions as they go. The object is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the science in the paper.

Simulation of international negotiations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions part of Cutting Edge:Climate Change:Activities
In order to convey how the international community is responding to climate change, students engage in a simulation of the international negotiation process. Participants learn first hand the interests of different ...

Maps, Folds, Stereonets, and Simple Fabric Analysis part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology:Activities
This analysis involves analyzing structures shown on beautiful, rich, detailed, and well-prepared outcrop bedrock geology of a real region. Students construct a number of stereonets step-by-step, and the map-scale ...

Understanding the Carbon Cycle: A Jigsaw Approach part of Cutting Edge:Climate Change:Activities
In this "jigsaw" exercise, each student is assigned one of five geochemical processes in the carbon cycle to research, fully understand, and then explain to others in groups of five. At the end of class ...

Earthquake Location part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
Earthquake location is an interesting and significant aspect of seismology. A number of methods that vary from simple to complex are available for learning about earthquake location. The methods also allow ...

Scorpions as Seismologists part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
Students investigate how seismologists and scorpions use wave travel times to locate sources of movement. The primary strength of this exercise is that it links geophysics and biology to enhance interest for ...

Earthquake! A Term Paper and Presentation Assignment part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
In this writing and oral presentaion assignment, students are challenged to assess a building site for a fictitious organization, the Society for Earthquake Enthusiasts. Each student must choose a historically ...

Equation Dictionary part of Cutting Edge:Geophysics:Workshop 07:Geophysics Activities
The equation dictionary is an expansion of the traditional notecard that students bring to equation-based tests. It requires them to provide a prose explanation for the processes described by an equation as well as ...