If you were to cut a section of earth out and look at it, you'd see layers like a cake. Do you know how those layers are formed? Sediment is material that is moved and deposited in a new location. Sometimes sediment can consist of rocks and minerals and can be tiny or big. It can lead to some beautiful natural formations! Let’s discover what is in your soil. 

Today, you will learn about sediment by making a sediment jar!

Step 1: Let's begin with the basics. Discover geology in this read aloud video I'm Trying to Love Rocks, written & illustrated by Bethany Barton. Be a rock detective in this video to start thinking about all the rocks around us.

Step 2: Gather your materials! You’ll need a clear jar with a lid, water, and various types of soil. Ask your parent or an adult to help you collect soil samples. We recommend gathering varied samples like garden or planting soil, rocky soil, clay, and sand or sandy soil to include in the jar.

Step 3: Follow along in this video to make your own sediment jar. Find a sunny spot for your jar to sit and watch the sediment settle into layers. Compare your sediment jar to this image of layers of soil.

Step 4: Have you worked up an appetite from investigating geology? Ask a parent or adult to help you make a tasty treat! Follow this recipe to create edible sedimentary rock cookie bar. Can you see layers of rocks and sediment in your treat? Exploring can be delicious!

Step 5: Be sure to ask an adult to share your sediment jar and/or sedimentary rock cookies social media using #MakerMonday & #LearningInPlaceTN!



Additional Resources:

Geology projects (edible & non-edible activities)

Candy Core Samples

Geology is the study of the Earth. The ground is made of soil, rocks, and other elements. Have you stepped on rocks to cross a creek and wondered why they were so smooth? Have you found a rock in your yard and wondered why it looks or feels the way it does? Let’s explore rocks as we learn more about geology and geologic formations. 

Today, you will examine geology, rocks, and geologic National Park sites!

Step 1: Read about geology in this Kids National Geographic article and learn a few geology facts on this site. Discover more about how forces shape our world in this PBS video.

Step 2: Get your questions about rocks answered with these Wonderopolis posts on rocks. 

1. Do Rocks Dissolve? 
2. How are Rocks Made?
3. How Do Rocks Get Their Color?
4. What is a geode?
5. What is obsidian?

What did you learn about rocks? How are rocks different from one another?

Step 3: Learn about the types of rocks with this read aloud video Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, Rough by Natalie Myra Rosinsky and illustrated by Matthew John. Learn about the rock cycle on the Geological Society website and complete this Rock Cycle fact sheet. 

Step 4: National Park Service has important geologic sites and information. Check out these links to learn more about the geologic formations of the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Glacier National Park, and Yellowstone National Park sites.

Step 5: Ask a family member to share what you learned about rocks and geology on social media using #WonderWednesdayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!

Additional Resources:

Types of rocks in Tennessee

U.S. state minerals, rocks, stones & gemstones facts

Geology rocks! Rocks, minerals, and geologic features give us problems to solve. Geology offers answers through scientific study and a lot of curiosity. From the rocks beneath our feet to the giant formations that make mountains, geological sciences are all around us. If you like digging in the dirt and asking questions, a career in geology or geological science may be for you.

Today, you will explore potential careers related to geology!

Step 1: You may think that geologists or people in geological science play in the dirt all day, but there's much more to it. Watch this video to learn what does a geologist do. From science teacher to geochemist, check out these career profiles that explain geology career pathways.

Step 2: Geoscientists play an important role in understanding Earth. They may spend their time doing field work or in a lab conducting research. What’s a typical day like? Watch this video to find out. 

Learn how a geoscientist is working to restore a habitat for fish in this video. Get detailed information about a career as a physicist from the CareerOneStop website.

Step 3: Discover a typical day for specialty areas of geosciences by watching the following videos: Volcanologist, Marine Geologist, Mining, Oil and Gas, and Hydrogeologist. Which specialty area do you like best?

 Step 4: Learn about geological engineering with this video. Why geology as an engineering focus? Learn about Dani Delaloye's journey as a geological engineer in this video.

Step 5:  Ask a family member to share something you learned about one of the careers using #FutureFridayTN & #LearningInPlaceTN!

Additional Resources:

A Day in a Geologist's Shoes

How do geologists make a living in 2019?