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Amazing Geology!

4/29/2019

We started off this unit of exploring the wonders of the earth with some edible geology projects! Turns out that chocolate is quite an inspiring medium to ignite curiosity!

Chocolate Earth Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened sunflower seed butter
1/4 cup raw wildflower honey
2 teaspoons raw cacao powder
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
1/2 cup stevia sweetened chocolate chips
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup finely chopped sprouted walnuts

Method:

Mix sunflower seed butter, honey and cocoa in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in the raisins and 2 tablespoons of the coconut. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Place remaining coconut, hemp seeds and nuts into 3 separate bowls. Using a spoon, scoop small heaps of the mixture from the bowl; roll into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll each finished ball in more coconut, hemp seeds and chopped nuts. Arrange the balls on a plate, cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Conglomerate Cookies

Conglomerates are common sedimentary rocks made from different shapes and sizes of smaller rocks. We made some edible conglomerates with chocolate chips, oats, puffed rice, gluten fee pretzels and honey!

To make these tasty treats combine:

2 cups oats
1 cup puffed rice cereal
1/2 cup pretzels (chopped up)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla

Mix thoroughly and heat mixture on stove while stirring for 5 to 10 minutes. Scoop mixture into a baking dish. Pack it down with a spoon so it is even and refrigerate for 30 minutes, then remove and cut into squares or rectangles.

Cocoa Crust

We used classic hot cocoa ingredients to show how the earth's crust moves due to the heat from inside the planet. After the experiment we added a little honey and enjoyed some tasty hot chocolate!

Chocolate Excavation

To explore how geologists find fossils in the earth we looked for 'fossils' in chocolate bars with nuts.

Earth Pigments

Ancient humans made their own paints from rocks and we did too! We made paints from ochre, chalk, and black earth to create these rich and textured paintings.

"I like to paint with both hands!"

Earth Caretakers

Folks are always remarking how abundant and fertile our gardens are. We believe that the soil responds to the gentle care the children give with happy and healthy plants!

Magical Magnetism

Exploring and playing with magnets helps give an intrinsic understanding of the North and South Poles. And magnets are fun! These facial expressions are priceless :)

Hematite Sculptures!

Tegu Magnets!

Magna-Tiles!

Exploring Rocks, Fossils, and Crystals

Sorting Fossils and Rocks

DIY Fossils

We learned how most plant fossils are simply an impression of the original plant - not the actual plant. We started with pressing plants onto clay, then tried shells and small toy dinosaurs to explore more varieties of fossils.