Third graders get a look at geology
A group of local third graders got a taste of college Friday. They made the trip to SUNY Potsdam to learn all about rocks and minerals. Our Rachael Paradis tagged along on the field trip and has more on what the program is all about.
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ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- There were some fresh young faces on the SUNY Potsdam campus Friday. Students from Norwood- Norfolk Elementary School made the trip to the school's geology department to learn about the materials that make up the world around them.
"It's a great teaching tool to have field trips like this where they can get some hands on experience with different materials and what not," said assistant professor Chris Kelson.
The students engaged in different activities, using microscopes to learn about mica, granite and limestone, opening their minds to the world of geology.
"So they can look at a rock in their backyard and say, 'oh no, this is a piece of concrete' or 'this is a rock that came from this outcrop in the back of the yard,'" said Kristen Remington.
For the kids, it's an experience they'll never forget.
"My favorite part of the field trip was when we looked at all the different kinds of minerals and rocks," said student Sam Monroe.
The professors and students who organize the program just hope to inspire the children to love geology as much as they do.
"We just can't help but think that somewhere in this group of kids there may be one or more potential geology majors or this kids might look at this experience as a very good one and might ultimately define their career path," said Kelson.
The geology department here at SUNY Potsdam holds programs like this year round for children. Not just at their campus, but at their local schools.
"We went to a local private Catholic school out in Massena. They asked if we could do a rock and mineral identification lab. We were able to go out to Massena and I like to have the opportunity to go to public and non-public schools," Remington said.
The geology department hopes to reach out to more schools and bring more students in for these programs.
Time Warner Cable is the parent company of YNN and we are committed to the Connect a Million Minds program, inspiring youth to develop science, technology, engineering and math skills. For more information on the initiative, go to www.connectamillionminds.com.