<p>Plan out the trip(s) in detail with the various road cuts stops on the trip guide.  Be sure to do the trip by yourself so that there no surprises (such a 3 feet of snow covering the site or a bridge is washed out). Fossils and arrowheads are a good start.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-18T20:07:12.957Z
2018-12-18T20:07:12.957Z
J.O. Williams
<p>Some road cuts are interesting to look at.  When a cut exposes several obviously different layers of rock, you can see differences in texture, layer thickness, and so forth.  They also convey very clearly the concept of rock being deposited in layers.</p>

<p>You'll need to do some scouting, though -- some cuts are boring (only one kind or rock exposed), and some have other problems, like no safe way to get off the road or poison oak between the road and rock face.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-15T03:37:31.843Z
2018-12-15T03:37:31.843Z
Dan
<p>I have no expertise in geology or earth science, but I would like to do a "field trip" with my home-schooled young children (under age 10) where I could teach them about geology from a hands-on perspective.</p>

<p>What could I do on this field trip that would make this event memorable and special for the children, that would not be possible just at home at the dining table?</p>

<p>If you are unfamiliar with small children, here are some outside things they like to do that I think may be compatible with this kind of event:</p>

<ul>
<li>digging (and hopefully finding pretty rocks, crystals, fossils, etc)</li>
<li>hiking, walking, and running</li>
<li>exploring "the wild"</li>
<li>caves</li>
<li>creatures</li>
</ul>

<p>I had a few ideas, but I don't know if any of them are practical or possible, or where I could gain the skills to make these really happen?</p>

<ul>
<li>Use our knowledge of geology to predict what kind of rocks we'd find if we dug in one place. Go there and dig, and see if we are right.</li>
<li>Somehow actually find something that is uncommon: iron, shark teeth, crystals</li>
<li>Find an area with 2-3 distinct kinds of rock, so it is very easy for the kids to distinguish this sedimentary rock over here from that igneous rock over there.</li>
<li>Bring back something that would be more interesting when viewed under a microscope</li>
</ul>

<p><sub>I would hope that any answers could be generally applied anywhere, but if it is helpful I live on the Wasatch Front in Utah, USA</sub></p>

<geology><rocks><soil><education>
Making a local geological field trip an interesting and educational event for children?
Cory Klein
# Making a local geological field trip an interesting and educational event for children?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-12-14)

I have no expertise in geology or earth science, but I would like to do a "field trip" with my home-schooled young children (under age 10) where I could teach them about geology from a hands-on perspective.

What could I do on this field trip that would make this event memorable and special for the children, that would not be possible just at home at the dining table?

If you are unfamiliar with small children, here are some outside things they like to do that I think may be compatible with this kind of event:

* digging (and hopefully finding pretty rocks, crystals, fossils, etc)
* hiking, walking, and running
* exploring "the wild"
* caves
* creatures

I had a few ideas, but I don't know if any of them are practical or possible, or where I could gain the skills to make these really happen?

* Use our knowledge of geology to predict what kind of rocks we'd find if we dug in one place. Go there and dig, and see if we are right.
* Somehow actually find something that is uncommon: iron, shark teeth, crystals
* Find an area with 2-3 distinct kinds of rock, so it is very easy for the kids to distinguish this sedimentary rock over here from that igneous rock over there.
* Bring back something that would be more interesting when viewed under a microscope

I would hope that any answers could be generally applied anywhere, but if it is helpful I live on the Wasatch Front in Utah, USA

**Tags:** geology, rocks, soil, education


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-12-15. Score: 1

Some road cuts are interesting to look at. When a cut exposes several obviously different layers of rock, you can see differences in texture, layer thickness, and so forth. They also convey very clearly the concept of rock being deposited in layers.

You'll need to do some scouting, though -- some cuts are boring (only one kind or rock exposed), and some have other problems, like no safe way to get off the road or poison oak between the road and rock face.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-12-18. Score: 0

Plan out the trip(s) in detail with the various road cuts stops on the trip guide. Be sure to do the trip by yourself so that there no surprises (such a 3 feet of snow covering the site or a bridge is washed out). Fossils and arrowheads are a good start.


---

