Learning experiences in the earth sciences

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Many secondary schools lack money for equipment to study the earth sciences. Inexpensive demonstrations and experiments can be constructed, and the facilities nature provides can be used to overcome this handicap. The possibility of using simple inexpensive, improvised equipment in the areas of geology, meteorology, and astronomy, was explored. The study was aimed at providing resources in these areas for the seventh to tenth grade levels, and to provide a guide for further learning experiences.

Findings and Conclusions: The use of simple improvised equipment appears to have several advantages. Complex equipment often obscures the purpose of the demonstration or experiment. The student gains a valuable learning experience from constructing simple equipment. The student may also be encouraged to perform scientific experimentation outside of the classroom. The principal disadvantages are the time used in the construction of apparatus, and the lack of accuracy obtained from improvised equipment. The lack of accuracy is not great in most cases and the illustrations of basic concepts do not appear to be diminished by these errors.