A GEOLOGIC EDUCATION ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS FOCUSING ON THE MINERALS AND FOSSILS OF NEW YORK STATE

An afterschool geosciences enrichment program, running in three separate week-long sessions, was designed and implemented for fourth grade students at Clinton Elementary School in Clinton, NY. The program focused on the minerals and fossils found in New York State. The lessons including in this program were designed to be very tactile. The goal being to make effective use of lab materials the students could manipulate and relate to. Lessons were designed to encourage participation and foster active learning. In-class labs and worksheets were used in conjunction with brief lectures, presentations and demonstrations. Topics included fossil identification and morphology of native invertebrates, the rock cycle, native minerals and fossils of New York State, important mineral uses and New York State geologic history. This enrichment program was designed for fourth grade students focusing on New York State minerals and fossils but could be easily modified for any location or elementary-age group.