American Museum of Natural History: 10^th Grade

Volcanism

Grade Level: 10th Grade Earth Science

Learning Standard: NYS MST Standards
Standard 4: Physical Setting
Standard 6: Interconnectedness
Standard 7: Interdisciplinary problem solving

Topics Covered by This Lesson:
Volcanism
Topography
Earthquakes
Faults
Locating epicenters
Seismography
Formation
Rocks, Rock Formation, and Rock and Fossil records
Pre Visit:
Purpose:

Objective: Student will be able to…
1) See the effects that volcanism have on the earth topography.
2) Give examples of how volcanism has build up the land.
3) Explain how molten rock affects the underlining crust.
4) Look at an actual rock record and identify major types of rocks.
5) See models of faults and effects of earthquake topography and industry.

Materials required:
1) Permission slips for parent
2) Adequate chaperones to accommodate the number of student going on the
trip.
3) Teacher should visit the exhibit before taking the students. During this
initial visit the teacher can generate their own worksheet or use the one
provided by the museum.
4) Worksheets to guide student through the exhibits.

Student Learning Prerequisites:
1) Student should be familiar with the three types of rocks, the processes
that lead to their formation and how rock can be used to a mirror into the
Earth past.
2) Students should know the relationship of pressure and temperature as you
go deeper in the Earth,
3) Student must understand how pressure and temperature influence the
formation and movement of magma in the Earth.
4) Exposed to seismograph reading and their use in locating the epicenter of
an earthquake.
5) Student should be familiar with the different types of fault lines.
6) Student should be aware of the different types of volcanoes and the
process that leads to their formation.
Visit:
Student will use the Worksheet provided by the museum or the teacher to
explore each exhibit, take notes and prose question to be discussed in the
later in groups. At the end of touring the exhibits the teacher will lead
the students in a discussion that will connect the exhibit with the concepts
learned in class.

Post Visit:
Have students student describe and write a critique the website associated
with the Planet Earth Exhibit. .
www. Earthbulletin.amnh.org
www. amnh.org/explore/ourdynamicplanet ;
www.amnh.org

Possible Questions:
Do we know with certainty the origin of the planets, specifically earth?
What do volcanoes tell us about the Earth's past?

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