2008 Field Investigations
Trip
Journal Assignments
Total Scores Possible:
C (Concepts) Layer:
___/16 B
(Investigation) Layer: ___/63
A (Analysis) Layer: ___25 Work Habits: ___/20
Guidelines for Your
Journals:
·
Put
the name of each site (“stop”) on the top of your journal page. Start a new page for each site.
·
Use a pencil. It writes best on the special waterproof paper in
your journal.
·
On bus rides in between sites, it would be a good idea to write
the assignments for the next site in your journal –
or at least write a clear heading so both of us can find it later.
·
Be sure to complete assignments
at each site. Check the checklist as you complete each item. Remember, we are
not going back!
Day 1 - Monday, May 12,
2008
Scoring: C Layer: ___/3 B Layer: ___/14 A Layer: ___/8
___On the bus, as we leave
Parkers Prairie, write three learning goals for yourself for
this week. What do you hope to learn
over the next five days? (C Layer)
Stop 1.1: Wind Energy and Electric Power Generation in
___Make
at least three observations and write at least one question about what you see,
hear or feel. (B Layer)
___Discuss some advantages
and disadvantages of wind energy. Is wind energy the answer to our energy
problems? Is it the answer to our
climate change problem? Why or why not?
(A Layer)
Stop 1.2: Geology and Cultural History of
___You
will see signs of “cross-bedding” in the rocks at Pipestone. Think in advance what cross-bedding might
look like and write or draw your prediction in your journal. (C Layer)
___During
your walk to the outcrop, make at least three observations and write at least
one question about what you see, hear or feel. (B Layer)
___At
the outcrop, look closely at a piece of quartzite through a lens. Draw what you see. (C Layer)
___How do you think the
talus got here? Make a hypothesis and support your
explanation with evidence. (A drawing
might help.) (B Layer)
___Draw
an example of cross-bedding and explain how you think it was formed. (B Layer)
___You
are a grain of sand. Describe your passage through time as you become
quartzite. (B Layer)
Stop 1.3: Devil’s Gulch Recreation Area
___Make
at least three observations and write at least one question about what you see,
hear or feel. (B Layer)
___How do you think this
gulch formed? What is the evidence that led you to this
hypothesis? (B Layer)
___Pick
any rock that you know other than quartzite – would it erode faster or slower
than quartzite. Explain! (A Layer)
___Would
the gulch look the same if it was made from your rock? How would it be different? (A Layer)
___What
do Devil’s Gulch and Pipestone have in common?
How are they different? (A Layer)
___On
the bus, as we drive to the KOA, discuss how the landscape has changed since we
left Parkers Prairie. Make a list of
these changes. (Include detailed observations
of the plants, animals, soils, etc.)
What are some earth science reasons why the
landscape is different? (B Layer)
___End
of day reflection: What was cool about today?
What was something interesting that you learned about geology today? (A
Layer)
Day 2 - Tuesday, May 13,
2008
Scoring: C Layer: ___/4 B Layer: ___/23 A Layer: ___/6
___During
our morning drive to the
Stop 2.1: Chamberlain Rest Stop
___Walk the path to the overlook at the north end of the rest
stop. Make a sketch of a cross section of the river
valley as you look upriver from the bluff. How do you think this valley was formed? How do you know? (B Layer)
___How
does the rock used to make the building compare to rocks you have seen? (C
Layer)
Stop 2.2:
___Make
at least 3 observations and write at least one question about what you see. (B
Layer)
___Pick
an area and sketch it in your journal.
What details did you observe while making your drawing that you didn’t
notice before? (B layer)
___Pick a quiet place to sit and write about what you see and
feel for 5 minutes. You must do this alone! (B Layer)
Stop 2.3: Door Trail at
___Make
at least three observations and write at least one question about what you see,
hear or feel. (B Layer)
___Pick
up and feel the soil. Look at it through
a lens. Describe it. (C Layer)
___Meet in groups to share your observations about the soil. How is it different from the soil in Parkers
Prairie? (Mrs. Schoeneck has a bag of
soil from Parkers that you can use for comparison.) (A Layer)
___Together, talk about
some questions that you might do to further investigate in this area. Record
these experimental questions in your journal. Pick a question that you can
test, using any of the materials in the “inquiry box”. Carry out your
investigation and record your data. How
did your investigation answer your question? (12 points – B Layer)
___Why
do you think very little plant life is growing here? (A Layer)
___Where
is there plant life? Why do you
think it is in these locations? (A
Layer)
___Are
these rocks igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic? How do you know? (C Layer)
___How did this area
form? Make a hypothesis and provide at
least two pieces of evidence to support it. (B Layer)
Stop 2.4: Collecting Activity and Investigation: Rocks, Agates
and
___Make
at least three observations and write at least one question about what you see,
hear or feel. (B Layer)
___Collect at least 5 different stones. Why do you think the
rocks you picked were cool enough to collect? (A Layer)
___Get in a small group with other students. Compare your rocks and
try to find two that are the same. What
evidence do you have for thinking so? (B Layer)
___What
do you think it would be like to stand here 10,000 years ago? Include sounds,
sites, colors, and smells in your description.
(A Layer)
___End
of day reflection: What was cool about today?
What was something interesting that you learned about geology today? (A
Layer)
Day 3 - Wednesday, May 14,
2008
Scoring: C Layer: ___/3 B Layer: ___/16 A Layer: ___/5
Stop 3.1: Entering the Black Hills – Spearfish, SD
(Note: This
is a “drive-through” stop!)
___Observe
the rock formations as we drive into the
___Make
at least three observations about the rock outcrops we see on our drive to
Devil’s Tower. (Sketching one might
help.) (B Layer)
Stop 3.2: Devil’s Tower: Igneous Rock and Area Plate Tectonics
___At
Devil’s Tower, make at least three observations and write at least one question
about what you see, hear or feel. (B Layer)
___On
the trail, look at a talus sample through a lens. Draw what you see. How is this rock different from all the rocks
we have seen so far? (B Layer)
___At
the overlook, compare the rock material at the tower with the rocks you observe
in the valley. Describe both in your
journal. How are they different? (B
Layer)
___How do you think
Devil’s Tower was formed? Write a
hypothesis in your journal and give some reasons to back it up! (B Layer)
Stop 3.3:
___Are
these rocks igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic? How do you know? (C Layer)
___How do you think this
canyon was formed? How do you know it
was not formed by a glacier? (B Layer)
Stop 3.4: Homestake Gold Mine, Lead,
SD
___Make a quick sketch of the open mining pit. (Don’t worry about the roads. Draw the
rocks.) You are looking at the inside of
a mountain! Write at least three
observations of what you see. (B Layer)
___Are
these rocks igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic? How do you know? (C Layer)
Stop 3.5:
___Make
at least three observations and write at least one question about what you see,
hear or feel. (B Layer)
___Make at least three observations of rocks along the black fence
in the Parade of States. Draw the crystal of
one mineral of your choice. Are these
rocks igneous, ` sedimentary or
metamorphic? How do you know? (B Layer)
___On the bus, talk to
your friends about what you observed in general about the Black Hills and the
___Quaquaversal is a cool geology
word. Write the word in your journal and
what you think it means. Find out what
it really means and what it has to do with the
___End
of day reflection: What was cool about today?
What was something interesting that you learned about geology today? (A
Layer)
Day 4 - Thursday, May 15,
2008
Scoring: C Layer: ___/2 B Layer: ___/6 A Layer: ___/2
Stop 4.1:
___Make
at least three observations and write at least one question about what you see.
(B Layer)
___
Observe the rocks in and around
___With your group, hike
the designated area at the park. (We will explain where to go with your group
leaders.) As a group, come up with a story on the formation of
___What
was the most interesting thing you learned at
Stop 4.2: Black Hill Geology Research Institute.
___Look
around the museum first – Write a question for Peter and Neal. (C Layer)
___Select one similar structure (like the shells, teeth, jaws,
toes, hips, etc.) from two dinosaurs or two other related creatures. Sketch both, then compare and contrast
the structures of the two animals. (B Layer)
___End
of day reflection: What was cool about today?
What was something interesting that you learned about geology or
paleontology today? (A Layer)
Day 5 - Friday, May 16,
2008
Scoring: C Layer: ___/4 B Layer: ___/4 A Layer: ___/4
___On the bus, write some
comments about why this trip was important to you. How do you think you will remember these last
five days? (C Layer)
___Look at the learning
goals you wrote on the first day. Did
you meet or exceed these goals? Explain.
(A Layer)
___After five days of
field investigations, what new or unanswered questions do you have? (Yes, you
must have some!) (B Layer)