Talk with a geologist
Talk with a geologist to learn about rocks, minerals, fossils, and field tools; prepare questions, take notes, and record observations during the conversation.
Step-by-step guide to talk with a geologist
JASPER Geology Explained One on One lesson with a REAL Geologist
Step 1
Open your notebook and write the title "Talk with a Geologist" and today’s date.
Step 2
Write 8 questions about rocks minerals fossils and field tools in your notebook.
Step 3
Add one short sentence under each question with a quick fact from a book or an adult helper.
Step 4
Ask an adult to help you find and schedule a short time to talk with a geologist.
Step 5
Practice asking your questions out loud so you feel ready and confident.
Step 6
Pack your notebook pencil colored pencils and magnifying glass into a small bag to take to the talk.
Step 7
Greet the geologist and tell them your name and one thing you are curious about.
Step 8
Ask about rocks and write three examples or observations the geologist tells you.
Step 9
Ask about minerals and write three examples or observations the geologist tells you.
Step 10
Ask about fossils and write how the geologist explains where fossils come from or one fossil example.
Step 11
Ask to hear about field tools and draw or write the names and uses of any tools the geologist describes.
Step 12
Ask one follow-up question about something you found interesting and write the answer.
Step 13
Thank the geologist for their time and ask if it’s okay to share what you learned on DIY.org.
Step 14
Make a one-page summary in your notebook with three things you learned one labeled drawing and a list of the tools you recorded.
Step 15
Share your finished page on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a magnifying glass or colored pencils?
If you don't have a magnifying glass or colored pencils, use a smartphone camera zoom or a reading magnifier for close looks and crayons or markers instead of colored pencils when you pack your notebook, pencil, and supplies into a small bag for the talk.
What should we do if the geologist cancels, talks too fast, or we forget to write things down?
Have an adult help schedule a phone or video call backup, practice your eight questions ahead of time, record the geologist's answers on a phone while you ask the practiced questions, and bring extra pencils so you can still write the three examples each for rocks, minerals, and fossils.
How can this activity be changed for younger children or older students?
For younger children, reduce to four simple questions, use drawings and adult-supported facts under each question, and let them color the one-page summary, while older students can research deeper questions, bring real rock samples to show, take detailed field-tool sketches, and produce a labeled, source-cited one-page summary.
How can we extend or personalize the one-page summary before sharing it on DIY.org?
Enhance the one-page summary by adding photos of any rock samples you brought, a labeled close-up drawing of a field tool the geologist described, a tiny map of where samples came from, and an optional short audio clip of the geologist's answer (with permission) to include when you share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to talk with a geologist
A Complete Overview of Rocks and Minerals
4 Videos
A Complete Overview of Rocks and Minerals
Introduction to Geology
What on Earth does a Geologist Do?
What are the three types of rocks? featuring Geologist Ben Andrews
Facts about geology for kids
💎 Diamonds form deep in the Earth under huge pressure and can take millions to billions of years to form.
🛠️ Field geologists use tools like a Brunton compass, rock hammer, and hand lens to record observations.
🦴 Fossils record ancient life—some microbial fossils are around 3.5 billion years old.
🔬 Minerals are identified by traits like color, streak, crystal shape, and hardness (diamond = 10 on the Mohs scale).
🪨 The oldest dated rocks on Earth are about 4 billion years old!
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