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News Release 231
MISSOURI GEOLOGY, THE ENVIRONMENT, WATER WELLS AND PAPER MODELS ALL THE RAGE IN ROLLA
Volume 35-231 |
Contact: Hylan Beydler |
(For immediate release) |
573-368-2118 |
ROLLA, MO, MAY 29, 2007 -- Missouri geology, the environment, water wells and paper models were all the rage on Friday, May 4, for Belle second grade students. Nearly 60 students and a number of teachers and parents visited the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla.
The students were divided into three groups named Crinoids, Galenas and Mozarkites, in recognition of the state fossil, mineral and rock, respectively. Each group toured the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology where they learned about rocks, minerals and other geologic natural resources. Students also learned about equipment used by geologists more than a century ago as well as Ice Age mammals, caves, earthquakes and fossils. A popular stop gave the students an opportunity to handle and examine rocks, minerals and fossils.
At another station along the tour, staff lowered a camera into a water well located on the grounds for a view under Rolla that goes to depths slightly greater than 100 feet. A video showing water wells that had become contaminated drew interest, as did a discussion about protecting against aquifer contamination.
To round out their visit, students made paper models of boy and girl geologists as well as volcanoes. They also played the popular bean bag toss where they won educational trading cards from all four of the division's Missouri Trading Card sets.
Belle second grade teacher Mandy Seaver said, "The students loved all of the different minerals they learned about. The museum was a popular spot where their favorite part was seeing the mammoth bones in the museum."
"We are pleased to have been able to host this group of students. This is the first time we have had the opportunity to provide educational presentations for Belle second grade students," said Mimi Garstang, state geologist and director of the Division of Geology and Land Survey. "We hope to spark student interest in the earth sciences and are hopeful they may eventually consider careers in this area."
The Ed Clark Museum of Geology is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The department's Division of Geology and Land Survey offers educational posters, maps, trading cards and a wide variety of publications on topics such as rocks, minerals and fossils. The division's publications desk in Rolla can be reached by calling 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827. Also visit on the Web at: www.dnr.mo.gov/geology.
The department also offers numerous educational Web pages. For more information on these topics and more, visit www.dnr.mo.gov. For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel.
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Editor: A photo is available online at: www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/dglsfossil.jpg.
Cutline: Geologist Edie Starbuck is pictured, holding a fossil for inspection of Belle second grade students who, along with nearly 60 others recently visited the Division of Geology of Land Survey complex in Rolla.
