Ruby Falls Rocks! Educational Goals

Goal	Students will be provided with an inter-active tour in which there is an opportunity for questions and answers.
Instructional Objectives	The students will be able to: Explain how caves are formed Identify six types of formations found in limestone caves and explain how they are formed. Name four minerals seen in the cave. Explain the formation of sedimentary rock, the formation of mountains, and the role of water in these processes. Develop an awareness of our environment.
Materials	Information on history and geology of Ruby Falls, vocabulary sheet, science experiments, and classroom worksheets.
Preparation	Teachers may use the information in the resource_guide to prepare students for the visit. Teachers will want to explain to students that they will be able to observe many aspects of earth science first hand. Before visiting, teachers will want to point out the landforms and rock formations that students should look for while on the tour. It is also a good idea to remind students of the importance of listening and co-operating with the tour guides.
Closure	After the field trip, teachers may want to use the enclosed materials to summarize what has been observed and to remind the students of the main points of the lesson. We have provided the enclosed thought questions to be a springboard for conversation with your students about their experience here at Ruby Falls.
A note to the teachers:	We have attempted to include science terms that are common to the study of earth science and geology. The dialogue used is consistent with that used by most classroom textbooks. Depending on the age level of your students, you may want to adapt the presentation or the actual information itself to make it appropriate for your students.