Investigation MN Geology: Identifying evidence for volcanism in Waite Park Quarries.

Emily Wolf, Osakis High School, Osakis, MN
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Summary

In this Earth Science field investigation, students will identify evidence of volcanism in Minnesota. Students form a set of detailed observations on the diabase dikes, fractures, rock textures and compositions of the granite bedrock of Quarry Park, in Waite Park, Minnesota. Students then design their own questions for further investigation. A tour or photos of the Marietta Aggregate facility follows and students make further observations of a deeper quarry. Lastly, students research their questions in the classroom and prepare a presentation of their findings.

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Learning Goals

This activity is designed for students to improve their skills of observation, critical thinking and ability to make logical predictions. The key concept is that the granite bedrock with diabase dike intrusions is evidence for volcanism in Minnesota.

Context for Use

This field investigation is designed for 30-40 students in grades 9-12. It is a field exercise primarily in a county park historically used as a quarry. Safety considerations must be taken. Students will need journals, hand lens and possibly digital cameras. Students will spend 2-3 hours in the park, approximately one hour viewing the Marietta Quarry, and 3-6 class periods conducting further research and preparing their presentations. This activity is designed as an introduction to plate tectonics through volcanism. Park maps are available and a parking fee is charged by Stearns County Parks for access to Quarry Park.

Description and Teaching Materials

Prior to this activity, my students will have completed Earth Science 8 and should have a prior knowledge of volcanism to draw from. Minimal introduction will be given prior to this activity. Students will be given the focus question of "What evidence for volcanism can we find in central Minnesota?" Upon arrival at Quarry Park, students will be equipped with science journals, writing utensils, hand lenses, and digital cameras as available. A group of forty students will be divided into groups of three or four and sent to observe four to five areas of the park. Specifically, a majority of the observations will be made near quarries 13 and 18 which have exposures of diabase dikes within the granite batholith. Students will be required to make about twenty observations at each site and report some of their observations to the whole group. Students will then be asked to return to some of the sites for an additional twenty observations. After reporting their additional observations, student groups will be asked to formulate an investigation to answer the focus question "What evidence for volcanism can we find in central Minnesota?" Guiding questions will be used to aid students with forming their investigations, but the terminology will not be given. Student investigations may incorporate the use of determining rock types, crystal sizes, and/or size, shape, and orientation of rock features (such as the dark dikes). As a final step at this site, students will be gathered as a large group and will discuss questions they have and identify what additional information would be useful at this time. This portion of the field investigation may take two to three hours.

An optional second part of this field investigation is a tour of Marietta Aggregate. Students will be able to observe an operational quarry and most importantly a deeper profile of the quarry. Students will then be able to record more information on dike shapes and orientation. A suitable alternative to this tour may pictures of video of the quarry. One hour to one half of a class period may be required for this activity.

Finally, students will finish research on their investigations by using internet resources.
To answer the focus question, students will compile their information, label and describe the major rock types and shapes, and describe what evidence they found of volcanism in Minnesota. Evidence must be supported with detailed student observations from the park, pictures, and cited sources. Student presentations may be a combination of power points, labeled three-dimensional models, or written reports.

Teaching Notes and Tips

This activity is different from typical lesson in that it allows students to observe rocks in their natural setting rather than in classroom sample sets. Students are able to interact more directly with the bedrock and develop their own sense of the area prior to instruction or lecture. Student form their own interpretations and questions which lead them into deeper research.

Assessment

In groups of two to three, students will demonstrate their understanding of this activity by completing a presentation of their findings in written, visual, or three dimensional form. This presentation must include:
1. a description of each form of evidence for volcanism in Minnesota supported by detailed student observations from the park, pictures, and cited sources;
2. a description of the bedrock using the appropriate geologic terminology; and
3. one or more questions for further study.

Standards

9-12.III.A.4 Plate Tectonics and Volcanoes, 9-12.III.A.6 Rock Cycle

References and Resources