Earth Science Day 2004

Events and Activities

We've pulled together some intriguing aerial photos and satellite imagery for your students to interpret. They will work together in small teams to unravel information hidden within the imagery and answer a question about each image. We will then convene as a group and discuss what they observed.

Explore the immensity of time from the Earth's origin some 4.6 billion years ago through the present day along a path where every step represents millions of years of Earth's history. Highlights will include the origin of life, how the atmosphere became rich with oxygen, and the extinction of the dinosaurs. Note that this activity involves a substantial amount of climbing stairs.

Panning for riches as in the days of old, where a fool would take all that glitters to be gold. Learn how to pan for gold and discover all the treasures within.

Learn how impact craters form and how large impacts have led to the mass extinction of life on Earth. See an "explosive" demonstration that will produce an impact crater before your very eyes!

Your students will visit one of UT's computer labs where they will be introduced to the technologies of remore sensing and interactive mapping of the Earth's features. We may even be able to locate an aerial view of your school or a student's house.

Volcanic eruptions can be either explosive or effusive. Using demonstrations, we'll learn how these eruptions styles are different and how each type can (and has) effected the Earth through time.

Lights, lasers, and interferometry measure distances ranging from the very small to the very large and help us understand and characterize our universe. Experiments will be performed illustrating the principles of interferometry, wavelength shifts, and laser ranging.

A look at everyday objects we all use, but never consider as being made from or using minerals as a part of their composition.

What is fluorescence, and what causes it? After a brief introduction to atomic physics, chemistry, and electrons, learn about short wave and long wave ultraviolet light, and some of the uses of ultraviolet light and fluorescence. A wonderful way to introduce students to (some visible) effects of electromagnetic radiation that they cannot directly see!

See the moon and all its wonder. Learn about the historical moments of Apollo. See actual lunar and meteorite samples up close and personal!

Hosted by four geologists, this exhibit offers students a chance to view a series of displays with maps, fossil, mineral, and rock specimens; and to participate in three hands-on activities that focus on the geology, mineral resources, and geologic hazards in Tennessee.

The basic priciples of magnetism, the magnetic effects on moving charges, and magnetic properties of materials are important for understanding our world and universe. Experiments and demostrations of paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, diamagnetism, magnetic fluids, and superconductivity at liquid nitrogen temperatures will be offered.

Learn how to seee exciting parts of our Earth through the medium of the electromagnetic spectrum! Find out how affect our Earth?s surface such as: sinkhole collapse, landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes! See images and maps of the geologic provinces of the American Southeast formed by plate tectonic activity and shaped by erosion!

Astronomical distances are some times difficult to comprehend. We will take a walking tour of the solar system as a way of understanding the great distances between the planets. We will use another scale to compare planet sizes and a third scale to see far the Monn is from the Earth.

Web Based Remote Sensing
- Your class will visit one of UT's computer labs where students will be introduced to websites that house interesting and useful maps and imagery of Earth. We may even be able to locate an aerial view of your school or a student's house.
The World of Caves

A look at cave safety, preservation, history, caving in East Tennessee, and various types of caves throughout the world.

Earth Science Exhibitions Tour: featuring plate tectonics today and over time, the new Mars Rover exhibit, and the new Human Origins Exhibit.
Bare Bones: Students will identify bones, types of animals, and make inferences about past environments based upon bones and bone fossils.
Tracing the Past: Students will examine trace fossils as clues to the past. A look at dinosaur eggshells is included.
Dig it! - Students will conduct a "mini-dig" to learn about stratigraphy, fossils, and interpretation of past envirinments.