SSCS third and fourth graders participated in a combined “treasure hunt” last week during a field trip to the Herkimer Diamond Mines. There, they had the unique opportunity to explore ground surface mines and chip away rock with a hammer to search for and keep the Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals hiding inside. These crystals are rare and believed to be 500 million-year-old.
Students also participated in sluice mining where they searched for gems by sifting through sand, rocks, and sediment with a special screen just like the old fashioned miners did. The Herkimer Diamond Mines directly relate to the New York State grade 3 and 4 science curricula, specifically the units on Earth’s Systems and the properties of matter, explained teachers Brittany Pitonza (Grade 3) and Stephanie Fuller (Grade 4).
The hands-on, local nature of the experience provides a real-world context for students to explore topics like the rock cycle, weathering, erosion, and identifying rocks and minerals.
