How do geologists know what lies beneath the Earth’s surface? During this staff-led program, students will collaborate and compete with their classmates to identify the most efficient way to find iron ore by learning to read the stories of rocks. Students will develop skills used by Smithsonian scientists to identify geologic features in rocks, interpret geologic maps, piece together drill cores, and model how tectonic forces deform rocks. After honing their geologic skills, they will compete in groups to see who can most accurately find the extent of the natural resource. In-person programs take place at the museum in Washington, D.C.
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Registration is now open for programs through January 31, 2025.
We will not be covering volcanoes, earthquakes, or plate tectonics during our digital school program, but NMNH has several related resources to support your teaching.
Video: Volcanoes and Pyroclastic Flows – Join Geologist Dr. Ben Andrews to explore volcanoes and pyroclastic flows — the super-heated gas and ash that is erupted during explosive volcanic eruptions. Ben describes how these eruptions happen, what causes ash and other materials to explode, and how scientists like him study active volcanoes and pyroclastic flows.
Video: How Volcanic Eruptions Send Materials Up and Out – This video features Dr. Ben Andrews, a geologist at the National Museum of Natural History. He studies volcanoes to get a better understanding of how eruptions happen. What causes ash and other materials during violent "pyroclastic" eruptions to spew out the way they do? Explore the physics of explosive eruptions. Reflect on the hazards scientists face in studying active volcanoes. Visit Ben's volcanology lab to see how he uses his simulator — a giant tank, talcum powder, lasers, and cameras — to model how erupted materials travel. Understand why research on volcanoes is important for our safety.
Video: Plate Tectonics – See how mapping the location of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can tell us where tectonic plate boundaries are. Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell explains how the plates interact and how volcanic eruptions actually cause earthquakes.
Video: Volcano Geochemistry: Windows to Earth's Interior – This video features Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell, a geologist at the National Museum of Natural History. Explore volcanoes as windows into the Earth's interior. Understand how you are connected to the interior of the Earth. Uncover the evidence about geologic events contained in volcanic glass. Think about how plate tectonics have gotten us to where we are today.
