Field Trips

Middle School: Earth Science Foundations

Grade Level:
Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
Subject:
Science
State Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) ESS1 Earth’s Place in the Universe | ESS2 Earth’s Systems | ETS1 Engineering Design

Topics in this Program

  • Stratigraphy (rock layers & columns)
  • Maps (topographic & geologic)
  • Geologic Time
  • Rock Cycle

Overview

Students will rotate in small groups between four 40-minute stations, centered at the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area (Grand Junction side). There will be a 30-minute break for lunch/recess at 11:45am. Stations for this program include:

  1. Hiking to Window Rock & back (about 0.75 miles) or to Serpents Trail & back (about 0.4 miles), depending on location, to make observations and ask scientific questions about different rock layers
  2. Interpreting a geologic map of the monument to understand landscape-level qualities of different rock layers
  3. Sorting a geologic column of the monument's rock layers via a team challenge
  4. Navigating the rock cycle through a game where students record and later discuss and reflect on their journeys through the rock cycle
  5. Exploring the geologic timeline through a scale model of events (Alternate activity station option, depending on group needs)

Essential Question

What are the most effective ways to experience and better understand how rock layers are organized at Colorado National Monument?

Duration

4 hours (10am to 2pm)

Tags: rock layers stratigraphy steam education open outdoors for kids every kid outdoors school programs rock cycle geologic map topographic map geologic time field trip activity

Last updated: December 9, 2025