Rocks on the Move

Teacher Workshop

Please keep in mind that this program requires all teachers new to the program to attend a teacher workshop prior to class participation. The Rocks on the Move teacher workshop will take place on February 1, 2025.

 

The Education Reservation Request Forms are now closed for the 2024-2025 school year. Education programs for Rocks on the Move are at full capacity. For questions, please email [e-mail]

 

 

NPS Ranger Socorro, Volunteer Sarah, and students walk on the Point Bonita trail.

NPS Volunteer Kirke Wrench

Overview

Grades 6 - 8

How can I recognize geologic change in my environment?

Rocks on the Move brings young geologists to the scenic hills of the Marin Headlands, where the theory of plate tectonics unfolds in the landscape around them. Through both individual and small group work, students use historic photos, data from local scientific studies, and framed transparencies to find evidence of deep seafloor processes, including volcanism, deposition, fossilization, past climates, and tectonic plate movements. Using skills learned during the in-person pre-visit classroom session, students explore the physical characteristics of the Franciscan Complex rocks, and the tectonic environments in which they formed. Students pose questions in class for further investigation in the park. While at Point Bonita lighthouse students collaborate to predict how natural and human impacts may change these landscapes.

The Rocks on the Move program uses the Understanding by Design framework and aligns with K-12 Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. The program is framed by the essential question - "How do I recognize geologic change in my environment?"

Program’s Framework and Curriculum Links:

Please click here for the Understanding by Design grid.

Please click here for the curriculum for Rocks on the Move!

 

Program Structure

Rocks on the Move programs are structured in three parts:

1. Classroom Preparation - pre-trip lessons delivered by the teacher and NPS staff with resources provided by the park. During this session, teachers utilize framed transparencies to familiarize students with the geologic changes in landscapes. NPS staff hand out dichotomous keys and rock samples of the Franciscan Complex to investigate their rock features.

2. Field Session - During the park experience, students explore the remnants of ancient seafloor rocks at the Point Bonita lighthouse. NPS staff facilitate student investigations regarding geologic change along with its implications to climate change.

3. Classroom Assessment - the post-trip lesson is led by the teacher. Students demonstrate what they learned through evidence-based written reflections.

 

How to Apply

Step 1: Educators must complete the Education Reservation Request Form.

Step 2: Park staff will reach out to accepted classes after September 24, 2024 to schedule a date for your class visit and park visit. Please keep in mind, programs are only offered Tuesday to Friday.

Step 3: New teachers must attend a Teacher Workshop to confirm program dates.

Step 4: Teachers complete pre-site lessons with students before the scheduled Ranger Class visit. Ranger visits the classroom virtually or in-person.

Step 5: Class attends in-person park visit.

Step 6: Teachers complete the post-site lesson and share student work with Rangers.

 

Education Reservation Request Form – In-Person Park Visit

Use this form to apply for the Rocks on the Move Education Program.  

Please note the following:  

• Education Programs are only offered Tuesday-Friday. Programs are FREE of charge.
• Programs are available in a Spanish/English bilingual setting – please be sure to inform the Ranger ahead of time.  
• Due to limited staffing at each park site, we ask that classes only apply to one of the program offerings throughout Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Program locations can ONLY accommodate 1 class per day (minimum of 10 students). 
• Ranger-led programs generally last 4-5 hours, not including driving or lunch time. Expect total time of park visits (travel to site, program, lunch) to be approximately 5-6 hours. 
• Chaperones are expected to attend and support each program – 1 per 10 student ratio. 
• New teachers are expected to attend a Teacher Workshop to be considered for a program – workshop dates will be announced on each program website. 

• Bus scholarships may be available for high need schools. If interested in a scholarship, please include this request in the transportation section of the form. 

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Learning Accommodations

Does anyone in your group need any accommodations?

Yes No

If yes, describe the accommodation need.

Next Step

School / Organization Contact Information

School / Organization Name (required)

Name of Requester/Contact Person (required)

Title / Position (required)

Contact Email Address (required)

Contact Phone Number (required)
123-456-7890 extension if any

Mailing Address (required)

City (required)

State (required)

Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas Armed Forces - Americas Armed Forces - Europe Armed Forces - Pacific California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

ZIP (required)
Five digit ZIP code [99999]

Next Step

Group Details - Park Visit/ Field Trip

Name of Primary Contact Visiting if Different Than Above (optional)

Title / Position of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Email Address of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Phone Number of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)
Format: 123-456-7890

Program Name or Subject Requested/Self-Guided

Grade Level(s) of Students (required)

Number of Staff / Chaperones (required)

Number of Students (required)

Preferred Date of Visit (required)
format mmddyyyy

My preferred date has been confirmed by the park (required)

Yes No

Preferred Program Start Time (required)

Alternative Date(s) (required)
Enter one or more dates .

Anticipated Arrival Time (required)

Anticipated Departure Time (required)

Mode of Transportation (required)

Disclaimer:

A park representative will follow-up to confirm group details once this request has been received and reviewed.

Submit my Education Reservation Request

---

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Notices

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: Public Law 114-289 National Park Service Centennial Act and 54 U.S.C. 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System.

Purpose: To administer education programs for education audiences including but not limited to school groups, scouting groups, extracurricular groups, and home school groups.

Routine Uses: To effectively manage requests for education received by the NPS, the Education Reservation Request Form is used to collect basic education reservation information to facilitate operational aspects of scheduling groups for park education programs, including in-park education programs, ranger in classroom programs, and/or online distance learning programs.

Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to provide the requested information may impede the ability to grant your education reservation request.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to provide park managers and educators the information needed to schedule and conduct education program activities. All applicable parts of the form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. You are not required to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned control number 1024-0288.

Estimated Burden Statement

Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Do not send your completed form to this address.

 

To serve students from the broadest range of abilities and interests, we offer teachers three distinct Rocks on the Move education programs.

Click on the photos below to learn more about the three options:

 

 

Watch: Introduce your students to being field geologists

 

The requested video is no longer available.

 

The requested video is no longer available.

 

The requested video is no longer available.