Geologic Education

he fourth and fifth graders at GLE are participating in the Geologic Education Outreach program, sponsored by Sigma Gamma Epsilon and the Museum of Geological Sciences, Virginia Tech. Sigma Gamma Epsilon is the National Earth Science Honor Society, a group that is dedicated to enriching the geologic education of upper elementary school children such as ours. The SGE members visit our classrooms and present hands-on, investigative programs that promote scientific observation and reasoning. These topics cover various areas in the upper elementary science Standards of Learning.

Mineral Uses

tudents learn the importance of minerals to everyday life with a focus on those relative to Virginia's resources. Students use scientific observation to discover properties of minerals and how they are utilized in products. They observe properties of rocks and minerals that have practical applications, such as the color of minerals for use as in crayons, minerals used as abrasives in toothpaste, and the absorbent properties of clays used in kitty litter. The program includes a slide presentation of a local mine.

Earth History and the Fossil Record

[GLE students making fossils with playdough]

tudents learn about the earth's ancient history and changes in plant and animal life through time. The process of sedimentary rock formation is demonstrated, and the students use scientific observation and reasoning skills during hands-on exposure to different sedimentary rock types, the process of fossil formation, and different fossil types.

Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics

ur students learn about earthquakes and tectonics by observing patterns in earthquake occurrence, motion of plates, and wave motion. This inquiry lesson includes many activities. Students observe earthquakes on a world map and explore their origins. They classify various wave motions and reproduce how scientists record earthquakes.

Gilbert Linkous Elementary GLE Creativity

Last modified on April 8, 1997.