Thirdgrade Science Activities About Rocks

Children enjoy collecting and learning about rocks from an early age.

Children collect and build with rocks from an early age. The third-grade science classroom presents the opportunity to combine curiosity with developing content-based knowledge. Inquiry-based science experiences in hands-on lessons expand the students' knowledge of rocks and encourage them to build upon prior knowledge and experience to achieve higher-level thinking skills.

Rocks Versus Minerals

Some students have difficultly identifying the differences between a rock and a mineral. A side-by-side comparison allows students to see the differences firsthand and use grade level-specific vocabulary to describe those differences.

Put students into groups. Give each group a box with a variety of rocks and minerals. They must classify the materials as rocks or minerals. Have each group present their rocks and minerals explaining the criteria used to classify their materials.

Sedimentary Rocks Are like Chocolate Cookies

A cookie illustrates how sedimentary rocks form.

Sedimentary rocks form when small particles of sand, silt, mud and shells or bones are mixed together and remain buried for long periods of time. You can use a chocolate chip cookie to help students conceptualize how these elements combine to form a new product. Brainstorm a list of ingredients included in a chocolate chip cookie, listing them on chart paper. Give each student a chocolate chip cookie and a toothpick. Instruct the children to try and separate each element of the cookie. After attempting to separate the ingredients, discuss the successes and difficulties they experienced. Compare how sedimentary rocks and chocolate chip cookies differ and how they are alike.

Rock Cycle Writing

Writing about science helps students become comfortable with concepts and vocabulary.

Take your students on a rock hunt around the playground. Have everyone look for a rock the no smaller than a gumball, no larger than a baseball. When everyone collects a rock sample, return to the classroom. Identify each rock as sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic. Review the rock cycle, pointing out the similarities and differences in each rock's cycle. Have the students use information they have learned about studying rocks to write a narrative detailing a rock's trip through the rock cycle.

Rock Formation Songs

Divide the class into three groups. Assign each group a rock category: sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic. Each group must write a jingle to the tune of a familiar song that explains how that rock typed is formed. The groups must teach their song to the rest of the class.

Tags: chocolate chip, chip cookie, chocolate chip cookie, each group, rocks minerals, each rock

Books On Offshore Oil Drilling

An offshore oil rig

Offshore drilling, or drilling for petroleum and natural gasses from under the ocean floor, is the focus of much controversy. While offshore drilling can prove to be a successful business and provides natural energy resources to the United States and other countries, it can also pose a great threat to the environment. There are many books that discuss the science, technology and environmental issues associated with offshore drilling.

The Dictionary of Petroleum Exploration, Drilling, & Production

"The Dictionary of Petroleum Exploration, Drilling, & Production," by Norman J Hyne, was published by Pennwell Books in 1991. This 631-page reference guide offers a complete list of common terminology used in the offshore drilling industry. It also discusses the mineral properties of sandstone and limestone and identifies geological map and guide symbols, drill stem test symbols and flow sheet symbols. In all, "The Dictionary of Petroleum Exploration, Drilling, & Production" contains more than 20,000 defined terms used in the offshore drilling industry, and 500 illustrations.

Deepwater Petroleum Exploration & Production: A Nontechnical Guide

The book "Deepwater Petroleum Exploration & Production: A Nontechnical Guide" is a comprehensive guide that explains all aspects of the offshore drilling industry from the engineering and technological requirements to the business and history of the industry. The book was written by William L. Leffler, Richard A. Pattarozzi and Gordon Sterling, all offshore drilling pioneers. "Deepwater Petroleum Exploration & Production: A Nontechnical Guide" was published by Penwell books and is 166 pages long.

Drilling: The Manual of Methods, Applications, and Management

"Drilling: The Manual of Methods, Applications, and Management" by the Australian Drilling Industry Training Committee is a 624-page comprehensive guide to offshore drilling published by CRC Press. The book offers a look at drilling, geology, machinery, methods, applications, management, safety issues and the latest advancements in environmentally friendly drilling methods. The guide is illustrated with charts, graphs and diagrams, and is written and edited by drilling and mining engineers and technicians.

Elements of Petroleum Geology, Second Edition

"Elements of Petroleum Geology," second edition, is written by Richard C. Selley and published by Academic Press. This 470-page book is an introduction to petroleum sciences and the practice of offshore drilling. This second edition offers updated information on the technological advances in petroleum geosciences, but like the first release of "Elements of Petroleum Geology," it also covers the history of petroleum exploration and science, as well as the business relationship between petroleum exploration and production.

Coastal Alert: Energy Ecosystems and Offshore Oil Drilling

"Coastal Alert: Energy Ecosystems and Offshore Oil Drilling" by Dwight Holing focuses on the environmental and aesthetic effects of offshore drilling and encourages citizens to protect the coasts from offshore drilling practices. The book discusses the damaging effects of oil spills and offshore drilling, and Holing offers up alternative energy solutions to drilling for natural gas and petroleum off America's coast. "Coastal Alert: Energy Ecosystems and Offshore Oil Drilling" was published by Island Press and is 140 pages long.

Tags: Petroleum Exploration, offshore drilling, offshore drilling, Alert Energy, Alert Energy Ecosystems, Coastal Alert

Classroom Setup Ideas

A classroom should have an inviting atmosphere.

It's the first day of school. Students enter a classroom and look around for some sign of assurance. The way a classroom is set up can either make students feel at ease and at home, or it can make them feel alienated and confused. Classroom set-up can aid a teacher in classroom management, or it can come in direct conflict with a teacher's management. The way a teacher sets up her classroom can dictate the climate of the classroom for the whole year.

Seating

Some educators say that all desks should be in rows facing the teacher on the first day. Others believe this is not ever necessary in today's classroom. Whichever you decide, after the first few days, there are a number of options for student seating. Students can sit in pairs either facing or next to each other. They can sit in groups of three, four or five. You can arrange student desks in long rows or columns or even in a big U shape. Each style of seating has pros and cons. A large U shape can be ideal for large class discussions. Having students in groups of three or four can encourage students to work cooperatively with one another. As your needs in the classroom change, so should your seating arrangement.

Expecations

From the moment a student enters your classroom he should know what is expected of him. Rules and expectations should be positively worded and posted in a prominent area of the room. Rules should be posted in language that all students in the class can easily understand. A rule in a kindergarten class might be to "Play nice." That same rule in a middle school class might be "Treat others with respect." Explain what each rule means to you, and have a few students explain what they think the rule means as well. Clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings immediately.

Movement

Students should be able to move about your classroom with ease. Areas that many students may need to congregate should be spaced out around the room. For example, the pencil sharpener and the homework turn-in basket should not be right next to each other. Everyone should be able to easily move about the room without bumping into things or injuring themselves. High traffic areas such as the trash can should be easily accessible to all students. Movement in the room should flow and allow for students to get things done with the least amount of interruption possible.

Less is More

Your classroom does not need to look completely finished and perfect for the first day of school. In fact, some things should not be finished. Leave some bulletin boards blank so you can use student work to decorate. Some teachers do not post rules the first day so that the students can come up with their own rules that they can all agree on. Have students create posters and other display items as much as possible. Students will feel that they are truly a part of the classroom when you decorate it with their work.

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Community Colleges In Midland Tx

Midland colleges offer students diverse fields of study.

With a population of about 100,000 residents, Midland is the midway point between El Paso and Fort Worth and a growing industrial region. Located in Texas' Permian Basin, the area is home to many oil and gas companies that require a diverse work force. Midland's community colleges offer students an opportunity to earn degrees from a certificate of completion to a bachelor's degree, and study academic subjects ranging from aviation to zoology.

Midland College

More than 7,000 students enroll every semester in Midland College's 58 programs. A two-year bachelor's degree is available in applied technology that offers courses in oil industry commerce, public administration and business management, international business and commerce. Associate degrees and certificate of completion degrees are available in many fields including aviation management, health sciences and paralegal, radiography and geology. The campus' 115 acres has a petroleum professional development center, performing arts theater, a field house and an aviation maintenance hangar.

Texas Tech University

Midland College campus is home to the two-year physician assistant program. Since Texas Tech University started the program in 2005, it has a ninety-seven percent graduation rate. Students study numerous subjects including anatomy, pharmacology and medical ethics, pathology and clinical medicine and health-care management. The 125-hour program includes lab work, clinical training and internships. An intense three-year doctor of physical therapy degree is available but it requires a bachelor's degree for admission.

Kaplan University

Kaplan University, a nationwide occupational college system, has a small Midland campus with technical, criminal justice and health-care programs. Students can earn a one-year computer support technician diploma that concentrates on hardware, software and network systems. A student can also earn an electrical technician diploma. A two-year associates degree in criminal justice focuses on areas such as corporate security, airport security and undercover security. The health-care diploma programs include dental assistant, medical assistant and medical office assistant.

Odessa College

Less than 20 miles from Midland, Odessa College offers 46 occupational and technical programs. Odessa College offer five associate's degree programs and two certificate-of-completion programs. Some of the academic areas include agriculture, ranch management, business administration and computer information systems and engineering, geology and geography and nursing. The campus consist of 80 acres with 25 buildings including science and medical laboratories, a 110,000 square foot sports center and a performing arts center.

Tags: bachelor degree, Midland College, Odessa College, assistant medical, center performing, center performing arts

Find Star Garnets In Idaho

Search for garnet gemstones in Idaho.

Idaho is one of the only two places in the world that yields significant amounts of star garnets. Garnets are translucent, purple and reddish stones that display four or six ray stars when cut. Besides India, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is the only site where you can search for and collect these precious stones. Searching for star garnets is a fun-filled recreation for the entire family. If you don't mind getting dirty, sift through the stockpiles and collect these rare and much sought-after gemstones.

Instructions

1. Pack and prepare items such as drinking water, containers and a change of clothes for your trip. Plastic containers or zip plastic bags are ideal for carrying garnet finds. A change of clothes is advisable because you will be digging and sifting through a stockpile and the area is wet and muddy.

2. Go to the Emerald Creek Garnet Area at Clarkia and obtain a permit to search for garnet. To reach the garnet collecting site, follow Highway 3 south to Road 447 from St. Maries, Idaho. Continue southwest on Road 447 to the parking area. Permits are available at the sluice area which is half a mile walk up the 281 Gulch.

3. Pay for the permits. Permits are required to search for garnets and are valid for one day. The permit includes all necessary equipment such as shovels, buckets and screen boxes. According to the U.S. Forest Service, visitors with permits are allowed to take up to 5 pounds of garnets. If you want to take more, another permit is required for each additional 5 pounds.

4. Pick up a shovel and a bucket and start digging for garnet through the stockpile. Once you fill your bucket, go to the sifting station to separate silt out, leaving you with garnet-bearing gravel.

5. Go to the sluice and wash dirt and silt off the gravel. Collect your garnet finds in your plastic containers.

Tags: change clothes, collect these, garnet finds, through stockpile

Science Fair Project Ideas About Rocks

Science projects about rocks help teach students about geology.

Science fair projects about rocks help teach students about mineralogy, geology and several basic scientific concepts. A science fair project requires certain steps. You must ask a question, form a hypothesis about the answer, test your hypothesis with an experiment and record the results. You need to make a visual display that presents your hypothesis, experiment and results. You also need to propose a conclusion about why and how you received your results and how they relate to your original hypothesis.

Water Erosion Project

Demonstrate the effects of water on small rocks for an easy science project about erosion. The project involves different types of rock in separate jars of water. The rocks sit for 24 hours and then are shaken vigorously. The water from each jar is filtered to discover how much sediment each rock lost. Before performing the experiment, try to make a reasoned prediction about which rocks will lose the most and least sediment . Explain your results with graphs and a systematic recount of your experiment.

Acid Erosion Project

Explore the effects of acid rain on different types of rocks for a moderately complicated erosion science project. The project requires two samples of each type of rock. One sample sits in a jar of water and the second sits in a jar of vinegar. Hypothesize the effects of each liquid and estimate which rocks will lose the most sediment.

The rocks remain in liquid for at least 24 hours and then each jar is shaken. The water from each jar is filtered and the sediment is measured. Display your results with charts and graphs that explain the effects of each liquid on each type of rock. Detail each step in your experiment and explain how the results relate to your hypothesis about how water and acid affect different rocks.

Moisture Retaining Project

Check the porous and moisture retaining properties of different rocks for a complicated science fair project. The experiment uses different types of rock of about the same size. Weigh the rocks and place them in a jar with one cup of water. Mark each jar's waterline. After 6 hours, check the waterlines to see which one dropped the most. Remove each rock from the water, wiped with a towel and weighed again to check how much water the item retained.

The project requires one hypothesis about which rock will absorb the most water and a second hypothesis about which rock will retain the most water. Use charts and graphs to help explain your hypotheses, experiment and results. Detail why certain rocks did or didn't absorb or retain water.

Tags: hypothesis about, about which, different types, project requires, your hypothesis, your results

Honors Earth Science Activities

Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy are all studies of Earth Science.

Teaching Earth Science Honors can be a fun and interactive experience for both the students and the teachers. Honors students specifically benefit from enrichment activities and scientific investigations. Hands-on inquiry based lessons can extend upon the traditional vehicles of reading and writing, and provide a concrete experience with Earth Science. Some of these activities can be performed outdoors to increase the student's interaction with nature and science, and to build a closer relationship with Earth Science.

Types of Clouds ID Field Book

Review types of clouds with your students and have them create their own "Field Guide to Clouds ID Book" using construction paper and internet research. Each cloud type should have a title, a description, its formation origin, and its approximate altitude. Have students draw or use cotton balls to create each type of cloud in the book. Direct the students create a "cloud log" on the last two pages of the field book. In this log, students will identify clouds that they see daily as well as the weather and type of cloud that they saw. After log and field book is complete, students write a synthesizing statement or paragraph on types of clouds using the information they collected throughout the project.

Classic Volcano

After a unit on volcanoes, have the students work in pairs to create different types of volcanoes using paper mache, recyclables, paper, and paint. Have the students experiment with different chemicals to produce different effects such as: baking soda and vinegar, sulfur dichromate with ammonium dichromate, or Mentos with diet cola.

Collect Meteorites

The Earth is constantly being bombarded by minuscule pieces of magnetic meteorites. You can collect micro-meteorites by using a shallow dish of water. Lay a shallow dish of water outdoors in an area that is free over overhead trees and buildings to minimize other debris. After the dish of water has sat out for a few weeks, swirl a large magnet around in the water. Fish out the meteorites with the magnet. At the end of the magnet, you will notice small pieces of a metallic material, which actually are meteorites from space. Look at the metallic debris under a microscope. If you observe small dark particles with pitted surfaces, they are micro-meteorites. For a list of physical and chemical properties of meteorites, visit Portland State University Meteorite Laboratory Identification guidelines listed in this article's resources section.

Classroom Fossils

Create fossils and demonstrate the process of sedimentation and fossilization by directing the students to make their own fossils. Ask children to bring in any shells or other natural matter they have from home, and bring in extra for any student who may have forgotten. Mix Plaster of Paris with water, following the directions on the bag. Pour the plaster into tubs or molds and have students press their fossils into the plaster. Wait until the plaster hardens before handling. Discuss the similarities and differences between this type of fossilization and fossilization that had occurred early in geologic time.

Tags: Earth Science, dish water, field book, have students, shallow dish, shallow dish water, that they

Find A Map Of The State Of Washington

Several websites offer maps of Washington state and the rest of the world.

How you will find a map of Washington state depends heavily on what type of map you're actually looking for. For example, finding a detailed road map of Washington state is a different process from finding a basic map of the entire state as a whole. Regardless of the reason, you can find a map of the state of Washington by looking through a few different resources. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Use the Washington state map on Geology.com. Geology.com includes several different maps of the state of Washington with varying levels of detail. For example, one such map breaks down the boundaries of the various counties within the state while another shows a diagram of state highways and turnpikes.

2. Use the interactive Washington state map on Bentler.com. The interactive Washington state map starts completely zoomed out, allowing you to view the state as a whole. You can then zoom in on different areas and see a breakdown of roads and different areas within the region. You also can pull up more information about various attractions within Washington state by clicking on the links on screen.

3. Use the Washington map on Maps of the World.com. Maps of the World.com includes a fully functional map of the entire state of Washington that you can then break down into other areas. Maps of the World.com also includes other information about Washington detailing its size, location and history within the context of the United States.

4. Order a map online from one of several websites that sell maps, should you need a paper map. If you are a member of AAA, you also can order a map through that organization.

Tags: Washington state, Maps World, different areas, entire state, information about

Make A Living In Venezuela

Venezuela is an exporter of petroleum and has many job opportunities in the industry.

Venezuela is a third-world coastal country on the northern portion of South America, off the Caribbean Sea. The economy is dominated by petroleum industries, which contribute heavily to the Venezuelan government revenue. The country is a member of OPEC. The capital city, Caracas, has the largest population and a cultural diversity that includes poor and wealthy citizens. Merida is internationally renowned for tourism, with its mountainous activities and lush rain forests. There are a variety of business, government and service-related opportunities for making a living in Venezuela.

Instructions

1. Work in the petroleum sector, which is responsible for 80 percent of Venezuela's exports. The oil refinery and gas industries offer well-paying jobs and career opportunities at many levels: laborer to skilled technicians to vice presidents and CEOs. International negotiations and agreements for the export and distribution of petroleum are based in Caracas.

2. Apply at petroleum companies such as Chevron. Internships are open to university students and paid internship assignments last for up to 10 months. Students gain hands-on experience by participating in live projects under the guidance of experienced professionals. Chevron has offices in several cities in Venezuela including Caracas. The company routinely hires full-time employees with experience and education in the following areas: engineering, geology, administration, law, human resources, security, technology and marketing.

3. Find employment in Venezuela's service industry, which makes up about 70 percent of the work force. Gain training and experience in health-care careers, transportation, retail and education.

4. Apply for unskilled labor jobs in flourishing industries such as food processing, textiles, mining and construction. Several sectors offering jobs in Caracas include iron and wood products, rubber and cement factories, chemicals, leather, food industry, export, distribution and other manufacturing industries.

5. A water fountain in the tourist city of Merida.

Live and work in Merida, a tourist city of 300,000 people built on a plateau nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, deep in the heart of the Venezuelan Andes. Merida boasts the world's highest cable car ride, which soars to 16,000 feet. Authentic Venezuelan lifestyles and old-world culture here remain unspoiled by the swells of tourism. There are many ways to make a living in this area, from outdoor gear sales and trekking guides to hospitality and food service. A lucrative sector is in growing and harvesting plants in the lush surrounding valley: coffee, sugar cane, palms, bananas and flowers.

6. Apply for government and information technology positions, as there are lucrative careers and generous benefits as a government employee. Venezuela offers exciting job opportunities for teachers who instruct in English and foreign languages. Teachers are recruited from surrounding countries including the United States. Living expenses and housing are paid for through employment agencies. Many of these jobs last for several months, enough time to give you a flavor of living in Venezuela.

Tags: export distribution, living Venezuela, tourist city

Uses Of Marble Dust

Uses of Marble Dust

Marble dust has various contemporary uses, both in the arts and in industry. According to the Sinopia Pigments website, marble is what is known as a metamorphic rock, which is created when tremendous pressure and heat is applied to a mass of rock. Perhaps one reason that marble from certain areas of the world is more prized for fine art use than others results from the elemental makeup of the original rock mass. Read on to discover the components of marble and the applications of its dust.

Components of Marble

Calcium carbonate appears in such natural materials as limestone, gypsum, chalk, and marble. The mineral content of marble results from the original makeup of its rock mass, which often includes manganese, magnesium, and iron. The level of these elements is partially what determines the hardness and whiteness of the marble, according to the Sinopia Pigments website. Other ingredients that may be found in marble dust are alumina and silica.

Famous Quarries

The whiter, or brighter, the marble, the more it is sought after by artists. The "world-class deposit" in Carrara, Italy is famous for its brightness, according to the Natural Pigments website, which indicates that it has, in fact, "been famous since ancient Rome" Carrara marble has been prized by artists such as Michelangelo for its transparent qualities, and it was of this marble that he sculpted "David." Michelangelo also used a quarry in Pietrasanta, Italy. Carrara marble dust is sold as a material for artists.

Art Materials and Filler

Marble dust is a primary ingredient in acrylic gesso, a surface primer for canvases and other surfaces intended for painting. The dust is also used to make plasters such as Marmorino and Venetian plaster, as a filler in paint, or in frescoes to replace sand. Some artists use the dust to harden surfaces for oil pastels. Marble dust is sold in bags weighing about one kilogram, depending on the distributor, and usually retails for $8 to $10 per bag.

Art Reproductions

Ecomarble is a project funded by the European Commission. An indirect method of preserving fragile and ancient sculpture, the project uses remote measurement technologies to build a replica of the object using marble dust. According to the European Commission's website, the marble dust is used to build up the replica layer by layer. Since the resulting object is high in quality yet cheaper to produce than hand-carved replicas, they are quickly gaining in popularity with museums and visitors alike.

Industrial Uses

Marble dust has various industrial uses. It is used as filler in concrete and paving materials, and provides a valuable use for what is otherwise a waste material, according to an abstract reprinted on the Science Direct website. In areas such as Turkey, where marble is harvested from quarries, the amount of waste material in the form of marble dust is increasing. The material is also used to create carbonic acid gas (carbon dioxide) which is used in the bottling of beverages.

Tags: also used, Pigments website, Uses Marble, build replica, Carrara marble

Interpret Schematics

A schematic operates like a blueprint to the system.

Schematic layouts show the elements of a system in a diagram, which enables a reader to interpret the correct layout of the circuit to help troubleshoot problems that occur. A schematic utilizes lines as well as symbols, which can be identified with the help of a key or by consulting a list of commonly used schematic symbols to clearly illustrate the layout. Learning to read schematics helps to understand how the circuit works.

Instructions

1. Read the signal as passing from left to right across the diagram.

2. Learn that any point on a given line or branch has the same electrical current. Changes in current only occur after the lines meet a symbol, representing an item such as a resistor or capacitor.

3. Identify the grounding points as the symbols which consist of three horizontal lines with the widest on top and smallest on bottom, so they form a triangular shape.

4. Locate the labels on the shapes on the map and compare them with the schematic's key or the list of common symbols provided in the resources section to determine which type of item belongs at each point in the circuit.

5. Note the locations of resistors on the schematic, represented with two parallel lines. Resistors regulate the flow of current to prevent damage to the other elements in the circuit.

Tags: symbols which

Places To Find Flintstones

Flint was once a staple for Native American tribes but was replaced by steel.

Flint is a type of quartz that is found throughout the world. It is actually a mineral called chert, which comes in a variety of colors. Flint is the name given to the darkest chert that is black or a dark gray. Flint has many uses, from sparking a fire to becoming a tool that ancient Native American Tribes used as a tool. Exercise care in using this type of chert stone. Flint often has very sharp edges that can easily cut through the skin. This trait is the reason people used the rock to create arrowheads for hunting. Does this Spark an idea?

What Is Flint

Flintstones are chert, from the silica group of minerals. Chert is comprised of silicon dioxide and other minerals, which are impurities. Pure silicon-dioxide chert is a highly sought-after mineral. The stones belong to the cryptocrystalline quartz family, according to the Authentic Artifacts Collectors Association (AACA). The very small crystals that you can only see by microscope characterize the family. Flint is sedimentary, meaning that the crystals form over time as they are pressed down into the earth. Other chert stones are jasper, agate and petrified wood, according to the AACA.

Geographical Location

Flint can be found in the wild spaces of Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The deposits are concentrated in the areas covered by these states, making them great places to start your search. Flint is not found naturally in the western, southwestern or mid-southern regions of the United States.

Finding Flint

Although flint is a sedimentary rock, you will not have to dig into the earth in order to find the stones. Instead, walk along a gravel road, looking for gray or black stones that have sharp edges and possibly nodules on the outside. Flint is often mined and used alongside other stones as road gravel. Another great place to find flint is along creek and river beds where water has cut into the rock layers, liberating pieces of flint and other stones. Plowed fields and fresh ditches are other possible places where the sediments have been exposed and the flint more easily found.

Finding Flint Arrowheads

In creek beds, on digs and other areas where you find flint, keep an eye out for small chips of flint. This is a sign that flint arrowheads may have been made in the area. Waterways are the best places to find them. Flint arrowheads are triangular with a sharp point. They may also a tapered base to allow them to be affixed to the arrow. Finding a flint arrowhead isn't a common occurrence, but does happen. Remember that they are artifacts and should be handled carefully. Place them in a case on display or take the to a local archaeological association, college archeology department or history museum for preservation.

Warning

In your eagerness to locate flintstones, stick to public lands or gravel roads. If you do feel the need to search private property, get the owner's permission first. Otherwise, you will be trespassing and can be arrested. When looking for arrowheads, steer clear of Native American burial grounds and protected places (although these are the most likely spots to find arrowheads). What you see as digging up an arrowhead could be a crime of desecrating a grave site or another crime on a reservation. You don't want a search for flintstones to turn into legal trouble.

Tags: Native American, find flint, Finding Flint, Flint found, Flint often, have been, into earth

Salary Range For Mining Engineers

Mining engineers inspect geologically unsafe areas in mining developments.

Mining engineers are at the front line of the industry which supplies the raw materials on which economies run, such as coal, gas, ore and minerals. They conduct surveys of mining, and potential mining, areas to determine the validity and safety of extraction. Mining engineers also fabricate plans for the support systems and mining processes for a particular mine to ensure that the cost of material extraction is allied to maximum safety precautions for mining workers.

Average Salary

For the purposes of its national employment survey carried out in May 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics classified mining engineers alongside other geological engineers and those involved in mining safety engineering. It concluded that the mean annual salary across the profession was $87,350, which translates into an hourly pay rate of $41.99. Those in the top 10 percent of earners received over $129,700, while their contemporaries in the bottom 10 percent earned less than $48,950 per year. As of August 2011, Indeed.com put the annual wage for a mining engineer, specifically, at $91,000.

Salary by Industry

According to the bureau's May 2010 figures, the largest numbers of mining engineers worked within architectural, engineering and related services. It gave the yearly wage for this sector of the industry as $86,030. Pay levels differed between types of mining. Individuals working in oil and gas extraction earned a mean wage of $116,280. This compares with mean wages of $83,650 for metal ore mining and $80,060 for engineers involved in the extraction of coal. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing paid a mean salary of $105,850, while engineers employed within non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying earned $76,090 per year.

Salary by Location

Location also impacts a mining engineer's salary. The bureau listed Illinois as the state in which, across all industry sectors, an engineer was likely to receive the highest wages, with a yearly mean salary of $119,870. California and Texas were also comparatively lucrative states, with respective mean earnings of $115,660 and $111,060 annually. Alaska and Colorado were reported to have similar wages levels -- $94,820 and $93,880, respectively -- while Pennsylvania was among the states with the lowest levels of pay, at a mean salary of $64,010.

Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment opportunities for mining engineers will increase by approximately 15 percent over the decade from 2008 to 2018. This compares with a projected growth rate of between 7 percent and 13 percent across all occupations in the country. Demand for minerals and natural resources is expected to rise, and this, coupled with the large numbers of engineers predicted to retire from the profession and whose positions will need to be filled, will create numerous vacancies. Wage levels for the occupation should remain very competitive.

Tags: mean salary, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, compares with, Labor Statistics, mining engineer, Mining engineers

Check On Earthquake Information

Pompeii, Italy, the site of an eruption and earthquake that gave little warning.

You may think you’re on solid ground because you live in an area that’s never been hit by an earthquake, but think again. Earthquakes happen anywhere, quite suddenly and without warning and take an otherwise stable neighborhood by violent surprise. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is taking note, doing research, and keeping the public informed about earthquake activity around the world, making it easy for anyone to check for earthquake information and to be prepared for any possibility.

Instructions

1. Log on to the United States Geological Survey website. Subscribe to the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) to receive alerts when an earthquake occurs in your area. Create an account, choose your options, and receive email or text messages instantly.

2. Click on the "Earthquakes" link in the upper left corner of the USGS website to learn about recent earthquakes in the past eight to 30 days in real time. See a color-coded map of the world with date, time, hours, seconds, latitude, longitude, depth and magnitude for all recent earthquakes that happened all over the world.

3. Access information on earthquakes in real time in the United States and around the world for the past hour, day or week by clicking on the "Earthquake" link, then hitting "present," and choosing which real time part of the world you're interested in. See maps and graphs indicating location and seismic activity levels.

4. Search for earthquakes under the "Earthquake" link. Select global, rectangular or circular area depending on your interest. Choose output file type and which database you're interested in. Type the parameters in the blank fields and then hit submit. View the results on the next page. See also facts, statistics, and number of earthquakes from 2000 to the present by clicking on the link "how many earthquakes" at the bottom of the page.

5. Report an earthquake in your area by clicking on "Did you feel it?" on the USGS website under "Earthquakes" and "Present." Hit the orange bar that says "report unknown event." Enter the location where you felt the earth shake and click submit.

Tags: real time, United States, around world, Earthquake link, Geological Survey, recent earthquakes, States Geological

Characteristics Of Drainage Basins

Gullies are a part of a drainage basin.

A drainage basin is a topographical area consisting of a river and all its tributaries. Such tributaries include not only streams but also groundwater, runoff and other channels of flowing water. Smaller drainage basins may be contained within larger ones. For instance, the Mississippi River and its tributaries constitute an enormous drainage basin; the Missouri River, while part of the Mississippi system, is also a drainage basin in and of itself. In North America, drainage basins may also be referred to as watersheds.

Divides

Hiking trail straddles the Continental Divide, the most well-known divide in the U.S.

Drainage basins are separated from each other by divides, which are areas of high elevation, often hills or mountains. Precipitation falling on one side of a divide will flow into a different drainage basin than precipitation falling on the other side of a divide. The most well-known divide in the U.S. is the Continental Divide. This invisible line runs through the peaks of the Rocky Mountains, separating streams and rivers flowing west into the Pacific from those flowing east into the Gulf of Mexico.

Groundwater

Rain seeps below the Earth's surface to become groundwater.

Originating as rain, snow or ice, groundwater consists of precipitation that has seeped below the Earth's surface. It fills aquifers, which are naturally occurring porous or cavernous underground reservoirs. Like the streams above it, groundwater also flows into larger rivers, lakes or the sea, contributing an additional volume of water to the composition of a drainage basin.

Overland Flow and Runoff

Rainfall is initially absorbed by the soil, but when the ground becomes saturated, gravity pushes the accumulated water across the surface in flat sheets. This is known as overland flow. Eventually the overland flow reaches a larger collection of water such as a stream. Oftentimes the terms overland flow and runoff are used interchangeably. Scientifically speaking, however, overland flow is a type of runoff; runoff also consists of groundwater and a few other minor sources.

Rills and Gullies

Overland flow eventually organizes itself into small channels called rills. Rills form more quickly in areas that lack vegetation and they disappear shortly after rainfall has ceased. Rills eventually converge to form gullies, which are ditches that funnel water into streams. From here, water continues its downhill flow until reaching larger creeks and streams.

Floodplains

Floodplains can occur along winding rivers.

Floodplains may occur along large, winding rivers, often near their outlets to the sea. These flat areas may be inundated with water during the springtime or after prolonged heavy rains in the drainage basin. In some areas of the world, flooding occurs at the same time each year. The soil in floodplains is very fertile and conducive to crop-growing, thanks to sediments deposited from further upstream.

Tags: drainage basin, below Earth, below Earth surface, Continental Divide, Earth surface, Floodplains occur, Floodplains occur along

Do You Need College To Become An Engineer

Engineers who work with the public must have a license.

To say you want to be an engineer can mean working in a variety of career fields. However, regardless of the specialty you choose, you will use principles of math and science to design, develop, test, produce and/or maintain new products. Due to the nature of this work, higher education is a requirement as is continuing education.

The Facts

You need a college degree to become an engineer. However, job duties determine whether you need a two-year degree, a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. Although most entry level engineering positions require a bachelor's degree, job duties that focus more on the practical and production aspects of engineering may allow a two- or four-year degree, and those focusing on teaching, research and development, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, often require a master's degree.

Types

Engineering technology is a two- or four-year degree option. Common bachelor degrees include electrical and electronics engineering, mechanical engineering and civil engineering. A degree in one of these fields may allow you to work in another field, as they are the most flexible. However, depending on the college, you may have additional specialties from which to choose, such as biomedical engineering, geological engineering, engineering physics or materials science and engineering. A master's degree may focus on areas such as aeronautics, electrical, computer, industrial or mechanical engineering.

Features

Engineering degree core classes focus on general engineering, math and science, and at the undergraduate level, general education requirements. From there, coursework depends on your program and specialty. Engineering technology focuses on fundamentals and basic engineering concepts. Bachelor's degree programs increase your depth of knowledge. For example, a degree in civil engineering may include engineering science courses such as dynamics, structural analysis and fluid mechanics, as well as courses specific to civil engineering such as hydroscience, soil mechanics and transportation engineering. Master's degree programs provide advanced level education and often include an option to either include or exclude a research project called a thesis.

Certification/Licensing

If your job duties require that you work with the general public, all states require you to get a license. Part of the licensing requirement is a bachelor's degree in engineering from a school the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology approves. Because of this, an engineering technology program will not qualify you for licensing. Although each state sets its own licensing requirements, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying administers licensing exams. A commitment to continuing education is necessary as CE credits are a requirement for maintaining your engineering license.

Tags: bachelor degree, civil engineering, master degree, continuing education, degree programs, Engineering technology, four-year degree

Measure Absolute Time

Absolute time has dimension.

Relative time is determined from fossils and based upon the age relationships between target and subject specimens. Absolute time has dimension and seeks to ascertain the numerical or elapsed time in the existence of fossils or subjects, typically done through measures known as radiometric dating methods. According to the University of Calgary, absolute time measurements can be used to validate (or calibrate) the relative timescale, producing two integrated methods for establishing age determination.

Instructions

1. Envision time as a physical representation of the formation of rock on the earth's core. Relative time would be determined from the physical subdivisions of rock and absolute time would be determined from the measurements taken from the rocks -- using radiometric equipment -- to determine how long they have been there.

2. Use radiometric dating. Radioactive elements found in rocks decay at a constant rate. The radioactive dating instruments help detect the presence of isotopes to ascertain aging. For example, igneous rocks contain matter consistent to the half life of uranium that is approximately 4.5 billion years old.

3. Consider varve dating. Varve is the accumulation of sediment over a year's time in a region or space that is usually impacted by the influence of hot or cold temperatures. For example, the varve of one lake could be correlated to other lakes to determine the approximate age, in years.

4. Consult a geologist. Research in stratigraphic (rock characteristics) analysis, evolution of fossils and cretaceous (dinousaurs) time periods is a good starting point to get the basic principles.

Tags: determined from, Absolute time dimension, radiometric dating, Relative time, time dimension, time would, time would determined

Gold Panning Trips In New Mexico

A sizable gold nugget can still be found in New Mexico, but rarely.

Although known for its silver, New Mexico also has a long history of gold mining. Extraction of gold began with the Spanish settlers, boomed during the same period as the Gold Rush in California, and continues today at a number of mines. New Mexico ranks 12th among all 50 states in gold production, according to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. Because of gold's high prices, treasure hunters are combing the state in search of the ore.

Enchanted Circle Gold Excursions

You can arrange day trips in a Jeep Wrangler to a private gold claim above Red River, New Mexico, through the Enchanted Circle Gateway Museum. The vehicle accommodates four people and your guide. While the gold recovered by most participants is only flakes, pea-sized and larger nuggets have been found, which become the property of the finder. The excursion provides all the necessary equipment, but customers should bring a lunch, water and snacks. Expect a rough trip, as the Jeep follows an old pack mule trail. Since the elevation of the claim is 10,400 feet, the tour operators advise those who have just come from lower altitudes should spend three days in the area prior to the tour to adjust to the thinner air.

Roadrunner Gold Panning Horse Tours

Guides from this Angel Fire-based tour company will accompany clients on horseback to visit several creeks in the area that historically have been good sources of gold. Tourists are taught pan in the streambeds adjoining the Kit Carson National Forest. Roadrunner provides the horses and all the necessary prospecting equipment. The tour lasts three hours, and participants should bring water and a snack.

Other Places to Search

Many gold hunters prefer to plan their own trips. The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources advises prospectors to contact state or federal agencies with jurisdiction over their proposed sites to find out about required permits. Placer deposits usually appear in riverbeds, settling out in layers of sand and fine rock, as gold is heavier than any other element. Panning for gold is allowed in the Lincoln National Forest, the Gila National Forest and in the Red River, north of Taos. Pinos Altos, just north of Silver City, is the site of an old gold mining camp and a popular gold-panning site even today. You can sometimes spot gold in the streets after a rain, and nearby Bear Creek and Cherry Creek are often sources of flakes and nuggets, according to Onroute Destinations.

Safety Precautions and Legal Restrictions

New Mexico has a harsh climate, with broiling days under the desert sun giving way to chilly nights. When panning for gold, flash floods are always a threat. Bring appropriate clothing and be prepared to seek higher ground in a hurry, if necessary. Carry food and plenty of water, as well as a compass. Besides honoring the regulations about where gold panning is legally allowed, know that New Mexico strictly enforces laws pertaining to the collection of artifacts. The removal of ancient relics, such as arrowheads, stone tools and pottery, is prohibited.

Tags: National Forest, Bureau Geology, Bureau Geology Mineral, Enchanted Circle, Geology Mineral

Oceanography Merit Badge Help

70 percent of the earth is covered with oceans.

The Oceanography merit badge was introduced to boy scouting in 1964. Its requirements were revised in 2004. The circular badge that is awarded for successful completion of the badge's requirements features a gold trident on a white background with blue waves. The nine requirements of the badge consist of theoretical study and physical activities related to promoting a better understanding of the world's ocean systems, which cover 70 percent of the planet. Scouts living near, or having easy access to, coastal waters would be good candidates to undertake this badge.

Oceanography

The badge requires a solid knowledge of the four branches of oceanography and requires explanations and drawings of specific areas such as waves, tidal systems and underwater topography. It also requires the scout to make models including a volcanic island and a wave generator. To successfully complete the badge, the scout is also required to visit an oceanographic institute or research ship.

Physical Oceanography

Physical Oceanography is the study of the physical processes in the ocean, and the interaction of the ocean with the atmosphere. Scouts will study waves, surf, tides and currents and gain an understanding of the heat budget of the ocean, including solar heating, evaporation and the transport of heat and salt by currents. Understanding physical oceanography helps in understanding and predicting phenomena such as tsunamis.

Biological Oceanography

Biological Oceanography studies the interactions of marine organisms with one another, and with their physical and chemical environment. To demonstrate understanding of this, the scout is required to describe the Darwinian theory of coral reef formation with a series of models of a volcanic island. Once pictures of volcanic islands and coral reefs have been studied, clay can be used to form a series of models on small pieces of plyboard, which are readily available at craft stores. Once dried, the clay models can be painted with acrylic paints.

Geological Oceanography

Geological Oceanography is the study of the geology of the land covered by water. Studies will include the topography (shape) of ocean floors, sediment, rock structures and processes such as tectonics. To demonstrate understanding, the scout is required to draw a cross section of underwater topography. The Museum of Science, Boston has a useful section on its website called "Oceans Alive!" Visiting this website will help in understanding ocean floors and drawing an accurate cross section.

Chemical Oceanography

Chemical Oceanography is the study of chemical processes in the ocean. It includes the study of salinity and the role of oceans in global chemical balances. Scouts will also learn the influence on industrial and agricultural chemicals carried into oceans by rivers. They will also gain an understanding the use of chemical isotopes for studying oceanic processes and dates.

Wave Generator

A simple wave generator can be made by filling a waterproof box, ideally a small fish tank, with water. Place items to represent the jetties and other structures into the tank. Float a tennis ball, or similarly sized object in the tank and push it up and down to make waves.

Tags: Oceanography study, Biological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, cross section, demonstrate understanding

Climate Conditions For Growing Wheat

A wheat field showing healthy heads.

Wheat is a quirky plant. It really makes its intentions known by the kind of crop produced under ideal weather or climate control. In particular, winter wheat thrives on cold temperatures. This is the vernalization or germination period in preparation for producing a crop in the spring. The vernalization period is very important to wheat production. Does this Spark an idea?

Wheat Needs Ideal Weather Conditions

A healthy red wheat field.

The rise of the head of a wheat stalk at winter germination signals a healthy crop in the making, and cold temperatures are necessary to produce a worthy crop in the spring, according to the website for the Ohio State University and Purdue University extension services. The website states that in the year 2006, when Ohio's wheat crops declined, Paul Pierce, an Ohio State plant pathologist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, explained that If winter wheat did not receive ideal conditions, it would not produce a crop and would appear only as straw.

Planting and Reaping Seasons

A growing wheat crop.

According to the website thinkquest.org, wheat likes fairly dry and mild climates. Weather conditions dictate when wheat should be planted, the article states, and winter wheat is planted from September to November in narrow channels known as furrows. The website says the furrows become filled with snow, which protects the plants.

Spring wheat is planted from early March to mid-April and has a shorter growing period than winter wheat, according to thinkquest.org. The website says that both planting seasons allow the heads of the wheat plant to rise, which signals a quite healthy crop will emerge.

Environmental Conditions' Influence on Wheat Proteins

Wheat kernels contain proteins.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that scientists are studying wheat proteins to learn how they are affected by heat, soil nutrients and other environmental conditions in which wheat plants are grown. The scientists aim to genetically influence better flours in the future for consumers.

Researchers have already concluded that gluten proteins have a primary role in influencing the quality of flour. They have deduced that wheat plants need metabolic proteins to form the gluten proteins that give cohesiveness to dough.

The scientists discovered that the "amounts of heat and fertilizer greenhouse wheat plants were exposed to affected levels of certain kernel proteins," the USDA website notes. That resulted in dough that could not withstand the necessary kneading and mixing process. Scientists will analyze kernel proteins' exact role and use that information to breed better wheat plants for the future.

Stress-Tolerant Wheat Plants

Healthy wheat plants.

As of June 2010, plans are being made for a new research project, sponsored by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of Denmark's Aarhus University, to identify and measure the implications of drought and heat stress on the yield and quality of wheat crops. Scientists aim to distinguish and engage the mechanisms for wheat to be productive under widely different climate conditions.

Hypothesis of Genetic Variables in Wheat Species

The hypothesis of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences is that genetic variables in wheat species can increase tolerance to both heat and drought stress. An offshoot of that hypothesis will analyze yet another proposal to predict major long-term effects of such variables through genetic and physiological statistics with a view toward developing physiological screening methods.

USDA 2010 U.S. Winter Wheat Crop

A loaf of wheat bread---and grains from which it is produced.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's first report on the progress of harvest for the 2010 U.S. winter wheat crop, as reported by aginfo.net, states that as of June 10, 3 percent of the crop had been cut, down from 6 percent for a five-year average for the same period.

Crop Changes, Climatic Conditions, Supply and Demand

Changing planting dates may be an option for taking advantage of a longer growing season, according to globalexchange.gov. It cites other options to be considered, such as the avoidance of crop exposure to climatic conditions and high temperature, stress, or low rainfall periods. Good outcomes, however, would be dependent on the region, the crop and the rate and amount of warming experienced.

Variable changes may affect supply and demand and competition in contending regions, and the prediction of planting date for the greatest profits becomes even more unpredictable because of the uncertainty about climate effects on local products, according to globalexchange.gov. The equation becomes more perplexing with the likelihood that products from competing regions may also be problematic.

Tags: winter wheat, wheat plants, according globalexchange, Agricultural Sciences, cold temperatures

How Does Water Play A Role In The Formation Of Crystals

Snowflakes are crystals made from water and cold air.

A crystal is a solid matter wherein its molecules are arranged following a repeated pattern in three dimensions, thus creating its beautiful appearance. Crystals can be categorized in two ways, according to physical and chemical properties, or according to its crystalline structure or shape. Water plays a role in the formation of crystals because the shape and appearance of crystals depends on temperature, chemical components, water, pressure and the amount of space that allows its growth.

Crystal Formation

Crystals are formed naturally and artificially. Natural crystal formations depend on two time scales. The first is a geological time scale which includes minerals or gemstones and stalactites or stalagmites. The second is a regular time scale such as snowflakes and honey. Snowflakes are formed by water. Artificial crystal formations take place when a solution is supersaturated and the liquid evaporates leaving behind particles that bond together and grow to form the crystal structure. Crystals are formed synthetically by cooling the solution, adding a second solvent, chemical reaction, or change in pH level.

Kinds of Crystal Properties

There are four types of crystals according to its properties. Covalent crystals, like diamonds, have covalent bonds or chemical links between all its atoms. The melting point of this crystal is extremely high. Metallic crystals such as nickel and alloys have individual metal atoms on its lattices. These are dense and have high melting points. Ionic crystals are bound by electrostatic force which are hard and have moderately high melting points. Example of this is table salt. Molecular crystals are held together by non-covalent bonds. Crystals like table sugar and rock candy are of this kind of soft crystal with relatively low melting points.

Kinds of Crystal Structures

There are seven classifications of crystals according to structure or lattice. Isometric or cubic is the simplest where the unit cell takes the shape of a cube. Tetragonal are cube-like but with one longer axis in the form of pyramids and prisms. Orthorhombic are like two pyramids fixed together. Hexagonal crystals are six-sided prisms with a hexagon cross-section. Trigonal have a single three-fold axis of rotation. Triclinic have three unequal axes which take strange shapes. Monoclinic have a single two-fold rotation axis.

Water-Based Crystals

Ice is a crystal formation of water. There are fifteen crystalline forms of ice depending on the varying temperature and pressure. Examples of ice crystals are snowflakes, hails, glaciers, ice caps and others. These are classified by their crystalline structure, arrangement and density. Most liquids solidify at high temperature under pressure. But water freezes at a temperature below 0 degrees Celsius because of the strong hydrogen bonds. Ice can also stay frozen at temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius under low pressure.

Tags: melting points, crystal formations, crystalline structure, crystals according, Crystals formed, degrees Celsius, Formation Crystals

What Are The Characteristics Of A Hematite

Hematite's natural characteristics set it apart from stones like these.

Geology and rock collecting in general requires a great deal of observation. Stones have a variety of observable characteristics which you can use to investigate and identify the stone's specific type. Few stones have as distinctive a set of characteristics as hematite. Reviewing the characteristics of a hematite can aid in your observation and identification process.

Shine

Hematite has a natural metallic shine, similar to that of liquid mercury. Even without polishing, the surface of a hematite may have enough shine to reflect images. While the surface may have imperfections or unusual shapes, it still shines with a metallic intensity that at least catches light. In its botryoidal form (meaning shaped like a bunch of grapes) a hematite catches light in circular patterns, while in its crystalline form it catches light in rectangular shapes and lines.

Redness

The name "hematite" comes from the Greek word "haima" meaning "blood," due to hematite's reddish iron content. When rubbed against a hard, light-colored surface, hematite leaves behind a distinctive red streak. Rubbing a potential hematite against the back of a ceramic bathroom tile can quickly identify it as hematite if it leaves a red streak. This red streak caused the ancient Egyptians to prize hematite, even writing inscriptions in important texts with hematite. Hematite also takes on a deep red color when pulverized into powder.

Shape

Hematite may take on different shapes depending on its location of discovery. Small hematite stones may occur in layers of quarts or chert but fine specimens usually have botryoidal or crystalline forms. Botryoidal forms resemble a bunch of grapes or bubbles, as the hematite formed in spherical clusters over time. Crystalline hematite formations have pointed, stalactitic (like a stalactite,) geometric shapes that jut out in all directions. Both of botryoidal and crystalline forms of hematite have the greatest value to collectors.

Occurrence

Hematite occurs in a variety of locations in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks generally have the largest and most valuable hematite deposits. These deposits form in the sediments as iron-rich minerals become weathered by time and pressure. Hematite precipitates into sedimentary rock primarily through lakes and seas through both chemical and organic processes. Hematite occurs in metamorphic rocks created by iron-rich sediments. It also occurs as small grains in granite or as crystals generally found in quartz. This crystalline form in quartz was deposited by volcanic gas and extremely high temperature liquids. Hematite may occur as small bits or "inclusions" in several other minerals.

Tags: catches light, botryoidal crystalline, botryoidal crystalline forms, bunch grapes, characteristics hematite, crystalline form

Motivational Ideas For Elementary School Teachers

A strong sense of community nurtures teacher and student motivation.

Student-interest centers and group instructional areas are common in a student-centered classroom. This design intends to increase interest and engagement while providing connections to learning and opportunities for mastering skills. This classroom design does not guarantee, however, an increase in student and teacher motivation. Building a strong sense of community within the classroom is an effective way to enhance this common elementary classroom design. The result is increased teacher and student motivation for teaching and learning.

Connectedness

Creating a sense of community begins with integration of management and instruction.

A learning community consists of members who support and encourage each other's growth. Members are connected through work assignments, interests and responsibilities. But also connected in this community are the processes of management and instruction. Both are critical and interrelated processes that are able to support the nurturing of a strong learning community. Behaviors are taught and practiced. Daily routines are followed consistently. Students are active participants in classroom management.

Respectfulness

Respectfulness serves as the foundation for a strong learning community.

Respectfulness is observable among a group of learners within a strong classroom community. Members share a common sense of belonging to the group, creating a safe and trusting place where learning and positive interactions unfold. Respectfulness is observed in students' acceptance of peers and acceptance of responsibility in maintaining the environment. Students interact with appropriate words and actions, and show respect for the community through adhering to daily routines and persevering in meeting specific learning goals.

Building a Strong Learning Community

Belonging to a strong learning community prepares children for positive interactions within larger commmunties.

Specific teacher actions to assist in building a strong classroom community are immediately applicable with little planning. Display students' work as celebrations of student and teacher success. Post lesson objectives along with work products for recognition of teacher success in meeting lesson goals. Incorporate a 20-minute block of "share time" in which students present work demonstrating commitment to quality. Another action is to note observations of behaviors that model respect among the students. Share your observations in whole group at an appropriate time. Incorporate an activity into a lesson that will lead to the production of student-created reference charts for display in the classroom.

Teacher Self-efficacy

Creating a strong learning community improves student behaviors. This improvement leads to increased attention and effort to producing quality work. Along with the improved behaviors and the increased quality in student work, a teacher's perception of her abilities is affected. Each observation of student success serves as additional confirmation that she has the ability to produce positive outcomes in student learning. The more improvements that are observed, the greater the increase in a teacher's sense of self-efficacy.

Student Self-efficacy

Students' self-efficacy increases with each observable achievement.

Also influenced within a strong learning community is a student's sense of self-efficacy. As members support each others' growth and achievement, the number of achievements multiply. With each achievement that students experience, there is an impact on students' self-perception relating to learning. Increased motivation toward learning and a student's increased sense of self-efficacy are the results.

Tags: learning community, strong learning, sense community, sense self-efficacy, strong learning community, classroom community, classroom design

Chief Meteorologist Salaries

Meteorologists collect data from a variety of sources, such as satellite imaging and Doppler radar. Compiling the data from these sources creates a model that the meteorologist can use in predicting weather and tracking storms. Meteorologists track weather over days while a climatologist studies weather over the long term for seasons, years and longer. A chief meteorologist is the head of a team of meteorologists. This means that in addition to predicting weather, he must also handle the administrative and managerial duties among his team. For taking on these extra duties, the chief meteorologist is generally the highest-paid person on the team.

National Pay

The national average salary for a meteorologist was $85,160 a year in 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since a chief meteorologist is at the higher end of the pay scale, they would be well above the average. Meteorologists in the 75th and 90th percentiles earned $104,520 and $127,250. This would be about the salary a chief meteorologist could expect to make depending on the location.

Pay by State

The state that paid its chief meteorologists the most in 2009 was Texas, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meteorologists in the 75th and 90th percentile earned $107,470 a year and $156,930 a year, respectively. The states rounding out the top 10 highest-paying states were Washington D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Florida, Colorado, Utah and Virginia.

Pay by Industry

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services was by far the top-paying industry for chief meteorologists in 2009. Meteorologists in the 75th and 90th percentiles earned $105,340 a year and $162,950 a year, respectively. In the 90th percentile, this is nearly $18,000 a year more than the no. 2-paying industry. The other top five industries for chief meteorologists in 2009 were Radio and Television Broadcasting; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Scientific Research and Development Services and Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences.

Pay by Area

The area that paid its chief meteorologists the most in 2009 was Detroit-Warren-Livonia, Michigan, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meteorologists in the 75th and 90th percentile earned $123,730 a year and $163,200 a year, respectively. The areas rounding out the top 10 highest-paying states were: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Virginia-Maryland-West Virginia; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Boulder, Colorado; Nassau-Suffolk, New York; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, Florida; Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Florida; New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania; San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Tags: 75th 90th, chief meteorologists, Meteorologists 75th, Meteorologists 75th 90th, 90th percentile, according Bureau, according Bureau Labor

Kentucky Rock & Gem Clubs

Joining a rock and gem club provides opportunities to go on field trips.

Rocks and gem interest areas include geology, paleontology, lapidary arts, mineralogy, faceting and jewelry design. If you're interested in these areas, joining a rock and gem club allows you to share your interests with other passionate rock and gem enthusiasts. For Kentucky residents, many rock and gem clubs are located in and around Lexington and Louisville. Whether you are a professional, an amateur or just starting your collection, visit one of Kentucky's rock and gem clubs to learn something new.

Rockhounds of Central Kentucky

ROCK hosts an annual rock and gem jewelry show and sale.

Rockhounds of Central Kentucky, or ROCK, is located in Lexington. Their focus is to create a casual atmosphere for members to share their knowledge and encourage learning. They host monthly field trips and hold meetings on the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at Meadowthorpe Community Center at 333 Larch Lane in Lexington. ROCK has an annual family membership fee of $20 or an annual individual membership fee of $15. They attend rock and gem demonstrations and exhibitions regularly.

Blue Grass Gem and Mineral Club

Blue Grass Gem and Mineral Club strives to educate its members on all things related to mineralogical sciences.

Blue Grass Gem and Mineral Club meets every third Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at Tates Creek Public Library in Lexington or at the Beaumont Library on Harrodsburg Road. Membership is open to the public and the club offers both family and individual memberships. The club organizes monthly field trips for business and education purposes. Blue Grass Gem and Mineral Club welcomes rock professionals, amateurs and newbies looking to learn about rocks and gems, make jewelry and dig for specimens.

KYANA Geological Society

A lapidary is an artisan who makes decorative items out of stones, gems and minerals.

The KYANA Geological Society promotes geology, minerals, fossils and lapidary arts in Kentucky. They are located in Louisville and hold regular meetings on the third Tuesday of every month at the Louisville Nature Center at the Louisville Zoo. The group has social time and swap meets before every meeting.

Kentucky Paleontological Society

The Kentucky Paleontological Society makes fieldtrips to local waterfalls, among other locations.

The Kentucky Paleontological Society was founded in 1993 for professionals and serious amateurs. While the society does welcome visitors, its main focus is to promote knowledge in the science of paleontology. The society organizes field trips to fossil festivals and presents talks at each meeting by knowledgeable speakers. The Kentucky Paleontological Society is located in Lexington and features an annual family membership of $17 and an annual individual membership of $12. Membership includes a subscription to the monthly newsletter.

Tags: Blue Grass, Blue Grass Mineral, field trips, Grass Mineral, Grass Mineral Club, Kentucky Paleontological, Kentucky Paleontological Society

Find Fossils In Alabama

Learn find fossils in Alabama.

Fossils can be found all over North America. Though typically found in the Southwest among exposed desert rocks, many fossils can also be found in the southeastern region, including Alabama. Much of Alabama and the southeast are home to fossils of marine invertebrates such as brachiopods, gastropods and others. Alabama does have a small percentage of fossil remains of land-dwelling dinosaurs but these are rare, as this region was once under water for many thousands of years. Finding fossils in Alabama requires careful planning and certain areas may require permits from the state.

Instructions

1. Research the regions of Alabama that have known presence of rock fossils. Ideal areas in Alabama that fossils have been found in previously are located in and around the northeast part of the state, where the region gives rise to the Appalachian mountains. Maps can be obtained from the Geological Survey of Alabama (see Resources).

2. Obtain a fossil collecting guide with descriptions and pictures of fossils indigenous to Alabama and the Southeast. This will aid in identifying fossils when you come across a shape that is unfamiliar.

3. Wear a hat and sunscreen if searching during the summertime. Alabama temperatures can soar into the 90-degree range and be accompanied by high humidity. Ensure that you take plenty of water along with you as well.

4. Locate fossil-collecting sites such as abandoned quarries, cliff sides, ditches or other areas with a large amount of loose rock. Be sure to wear sturdy boots. Use caution when traversing this type of terrain to avoid falls.

5. Sift through loose rocky material and carefully observe each rock for the presence of fossils. These may be small impressions on the rock surface, typical of marine invertebrates present in Alabama. Use a small rock hammer to get at embedded fossils in larger surfaces.

6. Document the area where you found the fossils with a digital camera and take notes. Obtain any permit that you may need through the state to collect the fossil. Some fossils that are considered rare may need to be surrendered to a state institution for examination.

Tags: Alabama that, fossils Alabama, marine invertebrates

Environmental Technology Schools

With an increased focus on environmental protection, many jobs are available for environmental technicians.

Environmental technology programs prepare students to fulfill successful careers designing, building and operating technological systems that conserve energy, protect the environment and maximize resources. If you want to study and begin a career working as an environmental technician, there are many schools to choose from throughout the United States.

Arizona State University

The College of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University provides degree programs in environmental technology management. With a focus on hands-on applications of the material, the programs teach students information regarding the scientific and technical methods of controlling environmental pollution, as well as the many political, legal and economic issues that challenge managers in the industry. The bachelor's degree program offered by the school has courses related to environmental chemistry, emergency management, environmental law, and occupational hygiene. ASU also has a master's program in environmental technology. Courses for the graduate program include industrial toxicology, regulatory framework, chemistry of hazardous materials, hazardous waste management, air pollution, and industrial hygiene.

Northwest Technical College

Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, Northwest Technical College offers a wide range of diploma and certificate programs in different areas of environmental technology. The environmental design technology program provides students with the required skills and necessary knowledge to thrive in the landscape and construction industry working on ball fields, golf courses, public parks, commercial business sites, residential landscapes, and city street parks.

In the school's forest technology program, lecture and lab courses cover relevant topics such as forest harvesting, natural resource management, forest health and wild fire fighting. The schools also provides a renewable energy entrepreneur program that teaches students to competently manage a business in the renewable energy industry, an associate's degree in sustainable environmental technologies that trains students to implement and integrate renewable energy-generating systems to meet environmental, social and fiscal necessities, and a wind energy certificate program that enables students to understand, design and build wind systems that produce energy.

Erie Community College

The Erie Community College, which has many campuses distributed throughout New York State, offers an associate's degree program in environmental technology geoscience for prospective environmental professionals. The curriculum incorporates informative lectures and valuable laboratory assignments into the program, and courses discuss energy systems, environmental geoscience and environmental conservation. The program educates and prepares students to competently and effectively work in various areas of the environmental energy field, including in geological waste testing, environmental testing, forestry services, ecosystems, and land conservation.

Texas State Technical College West Texas

With four campuses in Texas, Texas State Technical College of West Texas provides an associate's degree program in environmental science technology. With a focus on biology, chemistry and geology, the program increases students' knowledge regarding environmental technology, teaches them to apply their knowledge to practical situations, enhances their technical skills, and enables graduates to work in environmental areas such as construction, wind energy, oil and gas, water and waste water treatment, manufacturing, and compliance consulting. Courses that all students in the program must take include applied general chemistry, environmental biology, environmental geology, OSHA regulations and global positioning systems.

Tags: Technical College, associate degree, degree program, environmental technology, program environmental, areas environmental, Arizona State

Maine Forest Ranger Training

Maine forest rangers protect the trees and forests.

Maine forest rangers are responsible for protecting the trees and forests and handling wildfires in the state of Maine. They also enforce litter, ATV, and snowmobile laws, and help protect life and property during natural and man-made emergencies, and assist in search and rescue operations.

Education and Physical Fitness

To be accepted into the forest ranger training program in Maine, you need to have at least an associate degree, with 15 credit hours in natural sciences. The state defines natural sciences as sciences relating to the natural world and the environment, such as forestry, biology, zoology, botany, chemistry, geology or physics. Applicants also need to pass a physical fitness test consisting of sit-ups, push-ups, and running 1.5 miles.

Maine Forest Ranger Academy

Forest ranger applicants who meet the education and physical fitness requirements undergo a series of interviews before being admitted to the Maine Forest Ranger Academy at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. During the 14- to 16-week program, recruits are trained in all of the duties of a forest ranger, including wildfire management, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations.

Field Training

After completing the Forest Ranger Academy, new forest rangers complete a six-month field training program under the supervision of an experienced ranger.

Tags: Forest Ranger, Forest Ranger Academy, forest rangers, Maine Forest Ranger, Ranger Academy

What Is Limestone Used For

Limestone is formed in and culled from warm, calm marine waters.

Limestone is a versatile rock with a wide range of uses. Culled from calm, warm marine waters, limestone is formed when animals that form calcium carbonate die and their shell remains accumulate as sediment, which becomes limestone. It is most often used in some form of construction. It may be cut, crushed or ground, depending on the intended use. Does this Spark an idea?

Cut limestone

In architecture, the limestone is cut into slabs or blocks to be used as stair treads, window sills, floor tiles or facing stone. It enjoyed great popularity as a building material in the late 19th to early 20th century. It is both heavy and expensive.

Crushed limestone

When heated and crushed in a metal refining process, the limestone attaches to impurities and is then removed as slag. Crushed limestone may also be used as a top coat on roofs or a weather resistant coating for asphalt shingles. It is also used on farms to treat acidic soil. Crushed limestone may be fed to chickens, which use the calcium carbonate found within to make strong egg shells.

Ground limestone

Limestone powder is sometimes sprayed onto coal surfaces in underground mines to reduce coal dust and cleanse the air. Ground limestone is sometimes a component in cement.

Tags: Crushed limestone, also used, calcium carbonate, Ground limestone, marine waters