Eighth Grade

Time: 50 minutes 
Students take a step back to look at geologic time changes that rocks go through over millions of years.  They participate in a kinesthetic activity that familiarizes them with the rock cycle.

• Topics Covered: Rock Cycle, Rock Classification 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 8.S.1, 8.E.5 
• Live Animals: No 
• Cost: Free

Time: 50 minutes 
Students create their own experiment to determine if a clear liquid sample from another planet, ”Zork” is suitable to use as drinking water. This lesson also reviews the characteristics of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors. 

• Topics Covered: Geologic Features, Earth's Solar System, Importance of Water, Unique Water Properties 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 8.S.1, 8.E.4 
• Live Animals: No  
• Cost: Free

Time: 50 minutes 
Through sifting and examining different types of fossils, students explore the diversity of life over time. They analyze pictures of past and present-day life forms in order to determine if a relationship exists between the two. Through role playing they discover why most individual organisms that lived in the past were never fossilized. They also contemplate factors that can contribute to the extinction of species. 

• Topics Covered: Molds, Casts, Petrified Fossils, Preserved Remains 
• Science/Social Science Standards: 8.S.1, 8.E.6 
• Live Animals: No 
• Cost: $1/Student