The characteristic shape of a river is determined by the soil over which it runs, and it is always naturally meandering. Through a guided hike, Students will analyze the social and environmental impacts of human uses of rocks and minerals, assess the impact on society and the environment of extracting and refining rocks and minerals for human use, while taking into account various perspectives. Students will investigate how any man-made restrictions (bridges, culverts, channels) imposed on a river change its hydrological pattern, but after a man-made disturbance, the river will always re-establish. This program will also touch briefly on the basic geological information of how the Rouge Valley was formed after the melting of the glaciers at the last ice age some 10,000 years ago and explain the soil stratigraphy of the Rouge River Valley. 

Target Audience: Grade 4 (Age 9-10).  

Offered: March 1st - November 30th

Program Length: Full Day - generally 3.5 hrs (10AM-1:30 PM) unless otherwise noted. Students will have lunch by the river.  
 

Overall Goals

1. 1.assess the social and environmental impacts of human uses of rocks and minerals;
   

2. 2.investigate, test, and compare the physical properties of rocks and minerals;
   

3. demonstrate an understanding of the physical properties of rocks and minerals.