An Investigation into Geologic Mapping: Quarry Park
Summary
In this geology field lab, students will map an area around Quarry 12 and Quarry 13 in Quarry Park. Using a field notebook, students will take field observations to later produce a basic geologic map, topographic map, and a cross-section. These maps will show various geologic features such as rock types, faults, and rock contacts. Students will write a lab report describing what they observed. Students will hypothesize what is happening underneath the surface and develop a realistic way of testing their hypothesis.
Collapse
Learning Goals
This activity is designed for students to study thier local environment, continue to use the scientific process, and see various geologic features. Students will must use keen observations skills, presentation skills, and research techniques during this investigation. Concepts used during this field investigation would be the Law of Crosscutting Relationships and Law of Superposition.
Vocabulary:
-Inclusions
-Dike
-Sill
-Chill zone
-Spoils
Vocabulary:
-Inclusions
-Dike
-Sill
-Chill zone
-Spoils
Context for Use
This activity is used in middle school earth science, but is easily modified for the high school setting. Class size is not a major concern as long as there is adequate supervision at the quarry site. I recommend 2 adults, the teacher and a parent at minimum. Prior to the field investigation, students will need to know how to draw a contour map, what a cross section is, how to use a weighted protractor to determine the height of an object, and how to draw an aerial view map. This activity is primarily used at or near the end of the year, but with proper planning could fit anywhere in the curriculum.
Description and Teaching Materials
The lesson will be introduced at the site so the students can visually observe what is being asked of them. The teacher will need some knowledge of the quarries being visited, so a prior walk-through of this activity for first-timers is a must.
Materials:
-Notebook
-Writing utensil
-Weighted protractor to determine the height of the spoils pile nearby.
As part of the introduction, you may want to have the students take a walk around the quarry to get their bearings before setting them off on the investigation. During the investigation small students groups, no more than 3-4 per group, will traverse the area taking observations and measurements. As the groups go around, the teacher should wander the area casually checking on groups and questioning where they observed various things. It is also helpful to point out things that the students may not notice, but would be helpful in their understanding of how steps in what happened here, geologically speaking. This is why a prior walk-through would be very helpful if you are not familiar with the quarry.
To close the activity students will take their observations and construct a variety of maps as well as a short (1-2 page) report on their findings. This report should include the sequence of geologic events that occurred at the site along with including some of the new vocabulary learned while investigating at the quarries. Upon successful completion of the activity I will have the students compile the order of events on the board. I will then go through the field investigation with the class by showing them my "project" with all of the same components as they had. Assignment Handout (Acrobat (PDF) 27kB Aug20 08)
Materials:
-Notebook
-Writing utensil
-Weighted protractor to determine the height of the spoils pile nearby.
As part of the introduction, you may want to have the students take a walk around the quarry to get their bearings before setting them off on the investigation. During the investigation small students groups, no more than 3-4 per group, will traverse the area taking observations and measurements. As the groups go around, the teacher should wander the area casually checking on groups and questioning where they observed various things. It is also helpful to point out things that the students may not notice, but would be helpful in their understanding of how steps in what happened here, geologically speaking. This is why a prior walk-through would be very helpful if you are not familiar with the quarry.
To close the activity students will take their observations and construct a variety of maps as well as a short (1-2 page) report on their findings. This report should include the sequence of geologic events that occurred at the site along with including some of the new vocabulary learned while investigating at the quarries. Upon successful completion of the activity I will have the students compile the order of events on the board. I will then go through the field investigation with the class by showing them my "project" with all of the same components as they had. Assignment Handout (Acrobat (PDF) 27kB Aug20 08)
Teaching Notes and Tips
Assessment
Standards
9-12.III.A.4 - Plate tectonics
9-12.III.A.5 - Glaciers
9-12.I.A.1 - Hypothesis, Theory, Law
9-12.I.B.3 - Mathematics
9-12.III.A.5 - Glaciers
9-12.I.A.1 - Hypothesis, Theory, Law
9-12.I.B.3 - Mathematics