Describes the characteristics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; visits the unique rock formation Obsidian Dome at Mammoth Mountain in California; and presents a hands-on demonstration of the rates at which different-sized sediment particles settle out of water.
Describes the properties of minerals, such as hardness, luster, and color; presents a hands-on demonstration of minerals' crystalline structure; visits an old silver mine, showing how silver ore was mined a century ago; and explains how minerals are used in jewelry, medicine, and other areas.
Describes volcano formation and eruption, lava and magma, the differences between volcano classifications, and significant eruptions in history; demonstrates how a tilt meter can predict eruptions; and visits Mammoth Mountain, California, explaining how carbon dioxide fumes can be a sign of volcanic activity.
Explains the need for and the method of scientific classification of all living things, based on the system devised by Carolus Linnaeus, and includes definitions of the terms kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
Discusses the process by which water is recycled throughout the Earth, centering on the 3 stages of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Includes hands-on activities.
