Activity

Geologic Age

Time: One to two 50-minute class periods (depending on which activity and how much depth)

These two activities will help your students to understand the concept of geologic age and rates of radioactive decay. The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) website gives some great background and other resources along with an activity that will take you two class periods. The second activity will only take one class period but is also an excellent one.

Resource: USGS Geologic Age lesson plan

PDFRadioactive Decay: A Sweet Simulation of Half-Life (Science NetLinks)
If you cannot have candy in your classroom, any small object marked on one side will work for this simulation.

TEKS: 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.8
TAKS Objectives: 1, 3