The Rock Cycle: A hands on Simulation part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a hands-on simulation of the rock cycle.

Investigating the Rock Cycle Through Writing and Illustrating part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a quantative writing activity where students will use writing and illustrations to show their knowledge of the basic rock cycle.

Investigating the Rock Cycle: Looking at similarities and differences in rocks in the rock cycle. part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a lab inquiry-base lesson on the rock cycle. Students will look at the parts of the rock cycle by examining three rocks. Based on their observations and data they collect they should be able to develop a hypothesis and an experiment to test this hypothesis.

Exploring Rocks: Rock Identification and The Rock Cycle part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a class lab activity in which students will observe unknown rocks and learn about how they fit into the rock cycle.

Growing & Observing Crystals part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity requires students to design an experiment to determine the best conditions for growing crystals. Students then are asked to conclude what the ideal conditions may be, how this information is useful, and who may want to know it. It is a great way to continue using scientific process skills within a Geology unit.

Investigating the Geologic Time Scale: Creating posters to Display Trends in Geologic Time part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This observational inquiry activity involving careful descriptions of rocks and fossil including age will be used to create a scalar accurate geologic time scale. Students will observe and learn that the geologic time scale was created based on changes in fossil, rock, and atmospheric changes.

How do rocks compare to soil? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a investigation where students observe soil and rocks, record their similarities and differences, interpret their findings, and are guided to develop a new investigable question.

Identifying Fossils: Exploring the Mississippi River Bluffs part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a geology lab where students learn about fossils found in sedimentary rocks and show their understanding by writing a literary nonfiction paper from the perspective of one of those fossils.

Safe Water Unit part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity could be part of a bigger theme under pollution. The activity could be the water part and the bigger focus could contain all other types of pollution.

Investigating Earth materials: Collecting and Classifying part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a field collection investigation where students gather earth materials and make observations about their collection that leads them to discuss the nature of Earth surface and how it is changing.