Hands-on Geology

The Geological Society of Minnesota (GSM) has teamed up with the Macalester College to offer fee-based Geological Classroom Presentations for schools and organizations in the Metro. The presenters are graduate students, and 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, and 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

 Rocks from Minnesota are abundant 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 area 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.

 Cost and Payment 

The cost is $80 per presentation, which includes 2 presenter for a typical classroom size of 25. Larger class sizes or longer time commitments will be charged accordingly.  For Boy Scout or Girl Scout Badges contact the GSM. Please make your check out directly to the GSM.

For scheduling and other questions, please contact the GMS at: https://gsmnwp.geosocmn.org/contact/