The Geological Society of Minnesota (GSM) has teamed up with the University of Minnesota, Macalester College to offer Geological Classroom Presentations and Science Fair Exhibits for schools and organizations in the Metro. The presenters are advanced undergraduate or graduate students, and as such due to studies, midterms, final exams, and so on, this portion of the GSM out-reach program is subject to availability.
Classroom Presentations
Second Grade Level- Silt, Sand, Gravel, Sedimentary Rocks & Fossils -Complements the related FOSS® Science Module. Topics covered: Weathering and Erosion Make Sediments, Sedimentary Rock Formation, Fossil Formation, Evolution, and a Hands-on Session with the large GSM collection. Talk portion about 20 minutes. Entire presentation usually about 45 minutes.
Third-Fifth Grade Levels- Three Rock Types & Fossils -Topics covered: Earth’s Layers, Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks, Fossils, Evolution, Metamorphic Rocks, and a Hands-on Session with the large GSM collection. Talk portion about 30 minutes. Entire presentation usually about 60 minutes.
Eighth Grade Level- 1.) Three Rock Types & Fossils and/or 2.) Special Topics - 1.) Similar in scope to description just above, but with considerably more depth. 2.) Special Topics as requested by classroom teacher may include but not limited to: Plate Tectonics, Geological Dating, Earth’s Structure, Geomagnetism, Hydrology, etc. Both 1 & 2 include a Hands-on Session with the large GSM collection. Talk portion about 30 minutes. Entire presentation usually about 60 minutes.
Talk and Hands-on Session
The many ideas and relationships are illustrated with specimens from the large GSM collection (more than $3500) of carefully chosen and clearly identified rocks, minerals, and fossils. Rocks from Minnesota are abundant in the collection and are used as examples whenever possible. After the talks, the students are invited to come up and enjoy a close examination of the entire collection while the presenter answers their questions, typically with small-group dialogue. They can also examine some field tools of a geologist: rock pick, rock chisel, hand loupe, map compass, magnets, etc. This hands-on, participative portion has proven to be a most exciting and memorable learning experience!
Requesting and Scheduling
Presentations are available in the Metro and Northfield areas for groups of no more than thirty students per presentation. If you’d like to be contacted by a presenter, simply visit our contact page, or email a message containing your name, school, grade, how many presentations you want, approximately when you want them, your email address, and an evening phone number. A presenter will return your inquiry, work out a schedule with you, and note any special topic requirements you want covered. Science Fair Exhibits do not include the free materials described above.
Cost and Payment
The cost is $40 for a single presentation; $35/ea for two presentations per visit; and $30/ea for three or more presentations per visit. We strongly encourage batching, because repeat trips to schools is very difficult with the demand for these presentations so great! Please make your check out directly to the presenter who schedules with you and have it ready when they visit. Science Fair Exhibits are priced according to the duration and distance.
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