News Release 545

ROLLA THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS TOUR
ED CLARK MUSEUM OF MISSOURI GEOLOGY

Volume 35-545

Contact: Hylan Beydler

(For immediate release)

573-368-2118

ROLLA, MO, NOV. 20, 2007 -- Third and fourth grade students who are members of the Mark Twain Science Club toured the Department of Natural Resources' Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology last week. The museum, located at the Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla, features many aspects of Missouri geology. Minerals, rocks, fossils, geologic maps, karst models and historical equipment that geologists and surveyors have used are a few examples of items on display.

During the tour, staff geologists gave the 10 students lessons about the Missouri's rocks, minerals and fossils. Club members marveled at the geologic exhibits on display in the museum. Earthquakes, caves, geologic maps and various techniques used to survey land were also among the numerous topics discussed. The students learned that Missouri fire clay is used to make the tiles on the Space Shuttle. Fire clay is used for this purpose because is it resistant to high temperatures. It is also suitable for lining furnaces, kilns and in the manufacture of utensils used in the metalworking industries.

The museum is for the most part, a hands-on museum and these junior scientists were eager and willing to take in all that the museum has to offer. Teachers Cindy Noel and Jeanne Goggins accompanied the students. "This museum is awesome! The kids really enjoyed it," said Noel. "Among other things, our science curriculum covers changes in the earth. We hope we can make a come back next year."

"We truly enjoyed having these junior scientists visit Thursday afternoon. They asked very good questions," said Hylan Beydler, the division's tour coordinator. "Some of the kids already knew the names of our state rock, fossil and mineral. Mozarkite, crinoid and galena can be tough to pronounce, but these kids did a great job."

While in the museum, the students watched a computer program that depicts earthquake and volcano occurrences worldwide. This display generated a good deal of interest and considerable conversation about earthquakes in Missouri. Several of the students related facts that they knew about the earthquakes that occurred along the New Madrid Fault in the winter of 1811 and 1812. A program that displayed seismic waves was also viewed on the large monitor in the museum.

A highlight of the visit was when the students quizzed one another by asking questions about the various topics contained in the department's Missouri Resources Trading Cards. The educational cards feature caves, fossils, geologic wonders, ice age animals, land surveying and many other related subjects.

The Mark Twain Science Club meets the third Wednesday of each month. In addition to taking field trips, the club conducts experiments that relate to how science works in our everyday life. Club activities are funded through the community based non-profit corporation group, Champions of Rolla Education. CORE supports enrichment programs and activities in the Rolla School District.

The Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Self-guided tours are available, and admission is free. Please call 573-368-2100 to make arrangements for large groups and for guided tours. Also visit on the Web at www.dnr.mo.gov/geology.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

###


Editor: Photo is available at /newsrel/mtwaingroup.jpg.

Cutline: Mark Twain Science Club members and their sponsors Cindy Noel and Jeanne Goggins with staff geologist Peter Bachle in the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology in Rolla.