Earth in Space
This Meteor Impact Shattercone rock provides fascinating evidence of ancient cosmic collisions, Image Credit: J. Stoker
(See more about this image below)
While we usually keep our eyes on the ground when rockhounding, geology isn’t only underfoot. Our Earth is like a little blue marble floating among other marbles and big gassy balls, accompanied by metallic BBs and splinters of ice in the form of meteors and comets.
On a clear night, look to the sky, and you might see streaks left by meteors burning up in our atmosphere. Sometimes, though, they make it to the earth’s surface where we can collect them and hold a piece of space in our hands. This unit will teach you about such visitors from space.
Badge 11 - Earth in Space.pdfSpace may be the final frontier... but there is SO much to learn about how Earth fits into its complex and miraculous systems, and the clues are in the Rocks! This badge never fails to fascinate all ages of Juniors!
It can usually be completed in one 60-90 minute session.
<--Click on upper right to open the manual page and see the Requirement options (Activities) offered.
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SUPPLEMENTAL / OPTIONAL MATERIALS
The materials below illustrate how some leaders taught this badge, using 3-4 requirements they chose for their groups. See the Badge manual for other requirement activities you may like better.
About the image on this page
The rock pictured is a Shattercone structure, from the Kentland Impact Crater area in Indiana. When a meteor struck the area, millions of years ago, it pulverized the sedimentary bedrock. The particles then re-formed in strange structures such as this. The Quarry manager in the photo kneels beside a large Shattercone, showing points of impact pressure. See optional supplementary materials included in this Earth in Space badge for more on this subject.)
Image Credit: Joan Stoker