RocksExpo 4-PD Introducing Our Dynamic Planet:
Monday 9 December, 9am to 12.15pm: Chemistry of the Rock Cycle, Plate Tectonics and Critical Minerals discusses why and where different minerals form, and subsequently where different rocks form due to plate tectonics. The workshop will discuss the geochemistry of the mantle and the crust, controls on mineral formation like temperature and pressure, why economic and critical minerals only form in certain geological conditions, and volcanoes and natural hazards related to Earth processes. The workshop will integrate hands-on activities to describe rocks, rock cycle examples, and explore how the properties of rocks provide resources for humans, including for First Nations Australians and for the energy transition.
Monday 9 December, 1.30 to 3.30pm: Field excursion at Red Hill provides an opportunity to learn some basic geological mapping skills including rock descriptions and measurements, discuss local ACT geology, and examine how the underlying geology influences soil, water and vegetation. The field trip will be self-drive, with participants to meet at the Red Hill summit car park at 1.30pm, and will finish at the same location at 3.30pm. An optional stop to examine the Deakin Anticline with a 4.30pm finish is also available. A field trip worksheet will be provided.
Tuesday 10 December, 9am to 12pm: How Geology influences Biology and the Big 5 Extinctions discusses Fossils, Evolution & Extinctions, including life explosions and the Big 5 Extinction events. The workshop will examine how plate tectonic/volcanic/climate/solar system-related events and processes have influenced the evolution of life and led to mass extinctions, and will chronicle life explosions and extinctions throughout the history of the Earth. The workshop will include a hands-on opportunity to view fossil, volcanic and meteorite samples.
Tuesday 10 December, 1 to 3.30pm: Our Place in Space discusses the evolution of Earth and our Solar System, compares out planet to Mars, the causes and effects of rotations, orbits, tides and meteorites, and how First Nations Australians viewed and used the night skies. The workshop will include a hands-on opportunity to view meteorite samples and touch a piece of the Moon!
The PD workshops, held in the Education Centre at Geoscience Australia (GA), will include hands-on classroom exercises, an overview of the integrated TESEP rock kit, critical minerals kit, plate tectonic poster and online resources, and an opportunity to learn more about the role of GA and Education Centre. A $10 voucher for the Blackstone Café at GA will be available to attendees in the morning PD sessions to help contribute to their lunch costs.
The field trip starts and finishes at Red Hill, with an optional extension to Deakin shops.
Download the flyer and registration form here (PDF).
Download the flyer and registration form here (WORD).