Choose from among these activities to prepare students for their visit.
Introduce Meteorites |
All Sciences    |
Introduce meteorites to your students by discussing what they know about the subject. Pose the following questions: What are shooting stars? What are asteroids, meteors, and meteorites? How are they alike and different? What value might meteorites have? What would you like to know about meteorites?
Differentiation |
Earth and Planetary Science |
The concept of density is key to understanding how the solar system changes and why planets differentiate. The following activity introduces students to this fundamental concept. Test the density of different objects by comparing them with the density of water. Pour corn syrup into a large clear empty container until it is 1/4 full. Slowly pour the same amount of vegetable oil into the container. Do the same with water. Watch how the three separate into layers. The water "floats" between the oil and the syrup. The water is denser than the oil, but less dense than the syrup. Drop various objects (grape, raisin, marble) into the container and watch where they settle. Infer the density of each object relative to the other objects in the container. Quantify your density scale by using a balance, graduated beakers, and the formula: density = mass/volume.
Characteristics |
All Sciences |
The Esquel meteorite is thought to have come from the core-mantle boundary of a large asteroid.
©AMNH, Jackie Beckett
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At the Museum, students will have the opportunity and the challenge of making close and detailed observations of meteorites. One activity to help develop these skills is to have students observe, sketch, and describe different kinds of rocks. Suggest students focus on the texture, density, color, and any components the sample might contain. For a fun approach, first try this activity with cross-sections of a variety of candy bars.
Key Words |
All Sciences |
Review the vocabulary highlighted in bold. (Glossary)
Note |
Suggest students bring a magnet or compass with them to the Museum.
