Curated OER
Cave Diagram
Students examine limestone cave geology and hydology. They study cave vocabulary.
Virginia Department of Education
Weathering of Limestone
We all know limestone weathers, but what affects the rate of weathering? Young scientists investigate the physical and chemical weathering of limestone (chalk) through experimentation. First, they conduct trials with different-size...
National Park Service
Caves, Canyons, Cactus, and Critters
Mother Nature's Gravel Company is open for business! The unit includes four lessons covering weathering and erosion. Experiments are simple to complete and young geologists compare notes to see who makes the biggest ice wedge, moves...
Curated OER
Exploring Caves
Students explore the various characteristics of caves. Through class discussion and hands on activities, students identify what forces converge in the creation of a cave. They complete review activities at the conclusion of the lesson....
Curated OER
What Is A Cave?
Young scholars explore their existing concepts of caves and match them with a working definition to use during the unit. They name the two types of rock formations in which most American caves occur, and define "show cave" and "wild cave."
Curated OER
Reading Follow-up Activity
Pupils color a worksheet while discussing characteristics and composition of caves.
Curated OER
Limestone Reactions
For this limestone reactions worksheet, students read about the various types of limestone reactions and complete a diagram of deposits in a cave. They answer two questions about limestone reactions.
Curated OER
CREATE A CAVE
Students investigate the concept of caves by conducting an experiment. The lesson contains background information for the teacher. They collect data while making observations and write a review of the concept once the experiment is...
Curated OER
Nonmetals
Students research about the chemical processes involved in cave formation. In this chemistry lesson, students draw or find a cave picture with stalagmites and stalactites online. They write a brief caption and share them with the class.
Curated OER
Ozark Karst: A Fragile Landform
Young geologists become familiar with the Karst Topography in the Ozark Mountains. They study how human activity has affected the cave ecosystem. They conduct a simulation in which a large development is proposed in the area, and they...
Curated OER
Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves 2009: Out of Darkness
Students analyze the three models on the origin of troglobitic fauna. In this life science activity, students also consider how the Zonation model explains the fauna's origin. They also use the Internet to research solutional and...
Curated OER
Landforms of Illinois
Fifth and sixth graders are introduced to the primary landforms of Illinois and discover how they were created. Landform cards are made for each pupil. They use the twenty-questions format until they have identified each one. Then,...
Curated OER
Speleothem Formations
Students examine how speleothem formations can be simulated. Students follow directions carefully in this laboratory experiment, and keep a written account of everything they observe. After five days, the students share their experiment...
Curated OER
Caverns: Drip Rate Analysis
Students tour a cave and collect water samples. They measure the drip rate from several locations inside the cave and discover the part water plays in cave formation.
Curated OER
Inner Space Cavern Cave Field Activity: Drip Rate Analysis
Students compare drip rates at several different locations throughout a cave. They observe, first hand, the heterogeneity in flow paths present in karst aquifers such as the Edwards aquifer.
Curated OER
Cavern Geology: Speleothem Construction
Students discover how underground rock formations grow. They perform various activities based on grade level.
Curated OER
Acid Rain
Learners perform experiments to determine how different acids cause acid rain. They measure the pH of the water to calculate the water's acidity. They discover how acid rain dissolves rock materials.