Earth Science

SCI.ES.2 The student will demonstrate scientific reasoning and logic by

• analyzing how science explains and predicts the interactions and dynamics of complex Earth systems;
• recognizing that evidence is required to evaluate hypotheses and explanations;
• comparing different scientific explanations for the same observations about the Earth;
• explaining that observation and logic are essential for reaching a conclusion;
• evaluating evidence for scientific theories related to plate tectonics, the structure of the Earth, and its ancient age and origin; and
• making informed judgments related to resource use and its effects on Earth systems.

Analyze and predict the process of mineral formation, and discuss the effects of plate tectonics on hands on mineral and fossil specimens. Discuss the effects of mining and the national forest (surrounding our facility) on natural resources and Earth systems. Handle fossil specimens while inquiring how the fossil record supports or disproves various theories about the age/origin of Earth and plate tectonics. Search around our facilities for native fossils uncovered by the movement of the mountains.

SCI.ES.5 The student will investigate and understand how to identify major rock-forming and ore minerals based on physical and chemical properties. Key concepts include

• properties including hardness, color and streak, luster, cleavage, fracture, and unique properties; and
• uses of minerals.

Identify rock-forming and ore minerals hands-on with the help of our knowledgeable staff. Students can observe the properties of both native and exotic minerals which they discover themselves. Examining finished gem specimens, they can identify mineral attributes which add to or detract from their value, such as luster and fracture.

SCI.ES.6 The student will investigate and understand how to identify common rock types based on mineral composition and textures and the rock cycle as it relates to the transformation of rock types. Key concepts include

• igneous (intrusive and extrusive);
• sedimentary (clastic and chemical); and
• metamorphic (foliated and unfoliated) rocks.

Students can identify all three types of rocks from numerous specimens in our gem mine, shop, and museum. Discuss the rock cycle and identify these types with your class and our staff.

SCI.ES.7 The student will investigate and understand the differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources. Key concepts include

• fossil fuels, minerals, rocks, water, and vegetation;
• advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources;
• resources found in Virginia;
• use of resources and their effects on standards of living; and
• environmental costs and benefits.

Students can experience mining firsthand and discuss its effects on society and the environment. They can also discuss nonrenewable mineral resources and how this affects their value, both on a local and larger scale.

SCI.ES.8 The student will investigate and understand geologic processes including plate tectonics. Key concepts include

• how geologic processes are evidenced in the physiographic provinces of Virginia including the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau;
• processes (faulting, folding, volcanism, metamorphism, weathering, erosion, deposition, and sedimentation) and their resulting features; and
• tectonic processes (subduction, rifting and sea floor spreading, and continental collision).

Students can discover how geological processes revealed some common minerals and observe their effects on the land face. They can also experience first-hand the physiographic properties of Virginia and the Appalachian mountains, while studying minerals from this area.

SCI.ES.10 The student will investigate and understand that many aspects of the history and evolution of the Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils. Key concepts include

• traces or remains of ancient, often extinct, life are preserved by various means in many sedimentary rocks;
• superposition, cross-cutting relationships, and radioactive decay are methods of dating bodies of rock;
• absolute and relative dating have different applications but can be used together to determine the age of rocks and structures; and
• rocks and fossils from many different geologic periods and epochs are found in Virginia.

Students can study rocks and fossils and relate them to the study of earth’s history. The mountains of this area brought up our rich local fossil record from the ancient seabed, long buried. Discuss the relation of plate tectonics to our local geological history, while handling many unusual specimens of rocks and fossils in our museum. We have fossil specimens from Virginia City, surrounding areas, and around the world.

Biology

SCI.BIO.8 The student will investigate and understand how populations change through time. Key concepts include

• examining evidence found in fossil records;
• investigating how variation of traits, reproductive strategies, and environmental pressures impact on the survival of populations;
• recognizing how adaptations lead to natural selection; and
• exploring how new species emerge.

Students can explore and discuss fossil records by observing various fossils. For example, they could study adaptations and emergence of species by observing the lapidodendron, the first land tree. This tree evidences a transition from sea life to land life, and is still extant today, albeit in a much modified form.

SCI.BIO.9 The student will investigate and understand dynamic equilibria within populations, communities, and ecosystems. Key concepts include

• interactions within and among populations including carrying capacities, limiting factors, and growth curves;
• nutrient cycling with energy flow through ecosystems;
• succession patterns in ecosystems;
• the effects of natural events and human influences on ecosystems; and
• analysis of local ecosystems.

Students have the opportunity of exploring and observing this local mountain ecosystem, while examining fossil evidence that it changed through time from sea bed to mountainside. They can discuss how the national forestry system is preserving this ecosystem and the effects of mining and human settlement on this area.

Life Science

SCI.LS.14 The student will investigate and understand that organisms change over time. Key concepts include

• the relationships of mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction;
• evidence of evolution of different species in the fossil record; and
• how environmental influences, as well as genetic variation, can lead to diversity of organisms.

Students can observe and handle various local, regional, and exotic fossils specimens of early life, and discuss how this life changed over time.  For example, they could study adaptations and emergence of species by observing the lapidodendron, the first land tree. This tree evidences a transition from sea life to land life, and is still extant today, albeit in a much modified form.

Physics

SCI.PHY.4 The student will investigate and understand how applications of physics affect the world. Key concepts include

• principles with examples from the real world; and
• exploration of the roles and contributions of science and technology.

Students can observe and discuss how various physical reactions have affected a variety of gems and minerals all while exploring real-life specimens.  They can also discuss the role of human influence, such as mining, timbering, and the introduction of roads,  in changing the face of this area.

Physical Science

SCI.PHS.2 The student will investigate and understand the basic nature of matter. Key concepts include

• the particle theory of matter;
• elements, compounds, mixtures, acids, bases, salts, organic, inorganic, solids, liquids, and gases;
• characteristics of types of matter based on physical and chemical properties;
• physical properties (shape, density, solubility, odor, melting point, boiling point, color); and
• chemical properties (acidity, basicity, combustibility, reactivity).

Students will learn to characterize and identify a variety of gems and minerals based on their physical properties and will learn the effects of chemical reactions on types of gemstones. We have specimens of mineral elements and compounds which students can discover and classify.

SCI.PHS.5 The student will investigate and understand changes in matter and the relationship of these changes to the Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy. Key concepts include

• physical changes (effect of temperature on state, particle size on solubility, and temperature on solubility);
• nuclear reactions (products of fusion and fission and their effects on human beings and theenvironment); and
• chemical changes (types of reactions, reactants and products, and balanced equations).

Students will see hands-on examples of gems and minerals which have undergone chemical and physical changes. These changes will be explained to them empirically and they can explore their effects by observation.