EarthCache Site Templet

Essential Lessons:

The Calumet School District grounds exhibit one of the best views of glacial striations available because of their ease of accessibility. This site clearly demonstrates the direction of the glacier moving across this region of the Keweenaw Peninsula and the strength of the different types of rock beneath your feet. It is also evident from the location of the school that we must be aware of our surroundings in order to protect valuable pieces of evidence from the Earth’s past.

Earth Science Literacy Principles-

Big Idea 1. Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet.

1.3 Earth science investigations take many different forms.

1.6 Earth scientists construct models of Earth and its processes that best explain the available geological evidence.

Big Idea 2. Earth is 4.6 billion years old.

2.1 Earth’s rocks and other materials provide a record of its history.

2.7 Over Earth’s vast history, both gradual and catastrophic processes have produced enormous changes.

Big Idea 9. Humans significantly alter the Earth.

9.5 Human activities alter the natural land surface.

9.9 An Earth-science-literate public, informed by current and accurate scientific understanding of Earth, is critical to the promotion of good stewardship, sound policy, and international cooperation.

This glacial outcrop provides valuable evidence about the makeup of the rock beneath the Keweenaw Peninsula and the direction of travel that the glacier covering this region took. Without this evidence, it is difficult to determine the age of the different types of rocks, or what took place first—the lava flows or the glacier movement. With the school buildings and playground so close to this valuable piece of evidence of the Earth’s history, it is quite evident how human’s may impact the Earth and make it impossible for future generations to view this piece of history.

Common misconceptions

Science is done by old white men.

Science is too complex for a layperson to understand.

Humans only have negative effects on the earth.

This site is so easy to get to and appears not to be damaged by the surrounding school grounds that it provides the opportunity for students of all ages to see what glaciers have done to the Earth and how humans might protect evidence of glacial movement. With the deep grooves present and sticking right out of the ground, it is hard to miss the glacial outcrop or not to wonder about what could have caused the grooves in seemingly hard rock. The striations are all approximately pointing in the same direction and are quite long, so telling the direction of movement is quite easy for the layperson.

National Earth Science Standards
Content Standard D

From NSES—grades 5-8—Earth’s history

From AAAS—grades K, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9-12—Processes that shape the Earth

Michigan State Science Content Expectations Addressed:
E.SE.06.12 Explain how waves, wind, water, and glacier movement, shapeand reshape the land surface of the Earth by eroding rock in some areas and depositing sediments in other areas.

S.IP.M.1 Inquiry involves generating questions, conducting investigations, and developing solutions to problems through reasoning and observation.

S.IA.M.1 Inquiry includes an analysis and presentation of findings that lead to future questions, research, and investigations.

E.4.p3A Describe how glaciers have affected the Michigan landscape and how the resulting landforms impact our state economy.