Week 8: Geology that kids see

 

  1. What did you do in lab today? In lab, we looked at different kinds of sand and noticed how they looked and felt. We made guesses about where each type of sand might have come from, like a beach, river, or desert. Then we looked at fossils and used a chart to match them to sea fossils. This helped us learn how scientists find out about Earth’s past. Finally, we went to the MacBride Museum, where we saw real fossils and rocks that connected to what we learned in class.
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  2. What was the big question? “How can sand and fossils help us learn about what the Earth was like long ago?”​
  3. What did you learn in Thursday’s discussion? In Thursday’s discussion, I learned that during the Devonian Period, most of Iowa was covered by warm, shallow seas filled with sea life like corals, trilobites, and armored fish. These ancient seas left behind fossils that we can still find today, like at the Devonian Fossil Gorge. I also learned how different types of sand and rocks form and change over time. Water, wind, and glaciers shape the land through weathering and erosion, and rock layers can show us which parts of Earth are older or younger.
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  4. What did you learn? I learned that a long time ago, Iowa was covered by a warm ocean during the Devonian Period. Many sea animals lived there, like corals and fish, and their fossils can still be found today at the Devonian Fossil Gorge. I also learned that the Law of Superposition means the oldest rocks are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top. Sand can be made by wind or water, and it looks different depending on how it was formed. Fossils and rocks help scientists learn what Earth looked like millions of years ago.​
  5. What was most helpful? The most helpful part was learning about the Law of Superposition because it helped me understand how scientists can tell which rock layers are older or younger. It also made it easier to see how fossils and rocks tell the story of Earth’s past. I also thought learning about the Devonian Fossil Gorge was helpful because it’s a real place in Iowa where you can see these layers and fossils in person.
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  6. What do you need more information on? I want to learn more about how sand and rocks move and change over time in different places, like rivers, deserts, and beaches.​

5. What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have? Nothing right now. 


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