Colburn Earth Science Museum

Mountaintops to Canyons: Exploring Earth’s Landforms

Meets NC Standard Course of Study for Science:
Grade 5, Sections 2.01 through 2.06

Students examine how the forces of weathering and erosion have sculpted the rocks of the Earth’s crust over millions of years.  Raised topographic relief maps and excellent video graphics provide an explanation of the landforms found here in Western North Carolina and elsewhere.  Video graphics include an easy to understand explanation of plate tectonics, the driving force behind the uplift and erosion of landforms the world over.  Students learn to identify many different landforms and will examine actual rock samples to gain an understanding of the rock types that they are made of.  Kids split up into teams of two to work with hands-on landform models that can be “eroded” to produce a mesa, canyon, natural bridge, arch, or spires – all beginning with the same set of rock layers. 

Class duration: 50 minutes.
Class size: 25 students maximum.
Class cost:  $3.50/ student at the Colburn Museum, $4.25/ student in your school
 ($50 minimum).    

Grove Stone Quarry Day in Swannanoa
(Suitable for Grades 3 through 12)

Meets NC Standard Course of Study for Science:
Grade 4: 2.03-2.05, 2.07
Grade 5: 2.01, 2.03, 2.04, 2.07
Grade 6: 3.01, 3.04, 3.06
Grade 8: 3.02, 3.07
Grades 9-12 (Earth Science): 2.03, 2.06, 3.02, 4.04   

Trip A - Geology
Students will spend most of this 2-hour trip at a spectacular overlook high above the valley of the North Fork of the Swannanoa River.  From this vantage point, they can see the Black Mountains, the Seven Sisters, and the North Fork Reservoir, source of Asheville’s drinking water.  They also get an excellent bird’s eye view of the Grove Stone Quarry just below the overlook.  Colburn Museum scientists, assisted by state-of-the-art video graphics, will explain the processes that formed the Southern Appalachians and the metamorphic and igneous rocks and minerals that resulted.  Students learn the entire geologic history of these mountains, from sediment deposition, through uplift and metamorphism, and ending with erosion to reveal the core of this ancient mountain range.  At the overlook are large boulders removed from the quarry below, and activities include dividing the class into groups and assigning each group a boulder to study and describe to the rest of the class.
The concept and importance of watersheds is also discussed, with the pristine Asheville watershed visible just up the valley. 
Find out how use of this natural resource benefits our community by providing gravel products that we all use.  We will also discuss the environmental challenges associated with quarry operations such as watershed protection and land reclamation.  A special collecting area has been set aside for students to collect as many rock and mineral samples as they can carry!

Trip B – Stream Studies (seasonal: Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall only)
Students will get their feet wet learning how to sample and analyze the macro-invertebrates (insect larvae) in a small stream flowing through a wooded portion of quarry property.  They will learn how identifying the types and numbers of stream insects tells us about the water quality in this tributary.  The function and importance of clean watersheds will be discussed, along with the role we all can play in protecting surface water and ground water in our area.  This trip also includes a forest study section where kids walk a nature trail to learn about forests of the Southern Appalachians.  Activities include tree ID, learning about invasive insect species, and gathering mast from the forest floor to “survive the winter”.        

Class duration: 2 hours+ for Trip A or B.  4 hours+ for Trips A and B together.
Class size: 40 students maximum.
Class cost:  $5/ student for Trip A or Trip B.  $10/ student for combined Trips A and B.
 ($50 minimum).    

 NOTE:  Transportation must be provided to and from the quarry, as well as while on quarry property.  Private vehicles, multi-passenger vans or small buses recommended..  Larger buses can be accommodated with advance notice.