This hands-on, interactive field trip will take students through Great Mountain Forest (GMF) in Northwest Connecticut to investigate the geological processes that shaped the landscape. Students will explore glacial features like bedrock and glacial erratic, roche moutonnée, a charcoal mound and a kettle pond. They will use scientific tools like compasses, magnifying lenses, model formation of a kettle pond, study soil composition, and analyze how different rock types and minerals affect local ecosystems. Engaging, tactile activities—including edible rock demonstrations—will help students understand the rock cycle, plate tectonics, and how glaciers altered the region.The geology module doesn’t just teach students about rocks—it asks them to observe how Earth’s past shapes today’s ecosystems, and how human choices leave lasting impacts on soil, forest health, and biodiversity. By emphasizing connections between geology, ecology, and human use, the module cultivates a strong sense of environmental stewardship and conservation ethics. This is a full day field trip.

By the end of the session, students will be able to:

• Describe how glaciers and tectonic forces shaped the landscape of Great Mountain Forest.
• Identify and classify different rock types (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary) using texture and visual clues.
• Explain how kettle ponds and glacial erratics form, using evidence from real-world observations.
• Analyze soil samples to compare texture, pH, and the relationship between soil and local vegetation.
• Make connections between geology and human history by exploring how natural resources like rock and charcoal influenced early industry.