Teacher Resources
The Office of the State Geologist provides rock and mineral packets to teachers and the general public as well as other educational materials related to science standards. We also answer questions regarding anything geology related in Arkansas.
"Hands on" activity for Sylvan Hills Students
If you would like to order a classroom set of rock packets or have a question, please contact our main office by phone at 501-296-1877 or by email at osg@arkansas.gov.
The AGS Teachers packet contains materials useful in teaching earth science. Included in the packet are:
To order a teachers packet please call 501-296-1877 or email osg@arkansas.gov.
Illustration By Gibbs Magnet Student, Little Rock
12-Sample Rock Packets
Rock packets are available for the general public and teachers in Arkansas. Teachers may request classroom sets for use in their classrooms, however we are unable to provide rock packets for the students to take home. This is due to decreasing resources and inventory and increasing costs of shipping the rock packets. We urge teachers to keep the packets in the classroom to use year after year and share with other teachers at their school. Rock packets include color coded samples with description sheet.
Out-of state orders for rock packets can be accepted for a shipping charge of $3.00 per packet paid by credit card through our sales office at (501) 296-1877.
Shale is a sedimentary rock composed predominantly of clay-sized particles. In the Ouachitas it has undergone very low-grade regional metamorphism and therefore geologists prefer the term "slaty shale". Rough and cut blocks were previously used as shingles and for floors, patios, table tops, and interior and exterior covered walkways.
A sedimentary rock that is the principal commercial source of aluminum. It is mined in Saline County and has been mined in Pulaski County.
Naturally rounded stone varying in size. Quartz gravel and sand are commonly used as construction fill, concrete, aggregate, decorative stone, and as glass manufacture and for foundary mold sand. Donated by Sheridan White Rock.
A very soft mineral used in cement, wallboard, and plaster of paris. It is mined in Pike and Howard Counties. Donated by BPB, Ltd.
A clay-rich sedimentary rock used to make ceramics and as filler in rubber, cosmetics and paper. Deposits are known in central and southern Arkansas.
An igneous rock that is the mantle-derived source of diamonds in Arkansas. It occurs near Murfreesboro in Pike County.
A commonly fossiliferous sedimentary rock used as crushed stone and agricultural limestone. It is mined in northern Arkansas. Chalk (a soft variety of limestone) is mined in southwestern Arkansas for cement and as a source of lime. Donated by Midwest Lime Co.
A very hard and brittle sedimentary rock consisting almost entirely of silica. Some of its uses are as oilstones or whetstones, and as a high silica source material. Novaculite is mined in the Ouachita Mountains.
Quartz crystal is popular as mineral specimens. Milky quartz has been used to grow synthetic quartz for electronics. Most Arkansas quartz comes from the Ouachita Mountains. Donated by Ron Coleman Mining.
A sedimentary rock used as rock aggregate. Present in the Paleozoic Highland Region of Arkansas.
An igneous rock used as rock aggregate and roofing granules. Syenite occurs in Pulaski, Saline, Garland, and Hot Spring Counties.
An igneous rock composed of volcanic ash and dust and deposited as sediments. It is used as rock aggregate. Produced in Polk County. Donated by Martin Marrietta Aggregates.
Included in the 2-pack rock packet are small samples of our state rock and mineral:
- bauxite
- quartz
To order your class set of rock packets please fax or email your request on a school letterhead, Attn. AGS Front Office to 501-663-7360 (fax) or osg@arkansas.gov.
Check out a Teacher’s Rock and Mineral Kit from your Education Co-op. This kit contains larger hand size samples of rocks and minerals in Arkansas. Or visit the survey at 3815 W Roosevelt Road in Little Rock to get one on loan.
The Arkansas Geological Survey is creating Teaching Kits on various topics to be used as teaching aids in the classroom. Teacher's Rock & Mineral Kits are furnished to the Educational Cooperatives and STEM Centers throughout the state where teachers can check the kits out for loan. Teachers may also contact the Survey for availability of kits for loan at (501)296-1877.
Kit Contents
Hand Samples
Handouts
Earthquake Activities
Earthquake Fact Finder: Grades 3 - 6
Make a Fault: Grades 3 - 12
Make an Earthquake Intensity Map: Grades 8 - 12
Locating an Earthquake Epicenter: Grades 8 - 12
Rock & Mineral Activities
Novaculite Maze: Grades 1 - 3
Rock and Mineral Match-up: Grades 4 - 6
Arkansas Geology Word Search: Grades 6 - 12
Arkansas Geology Crossword Puzzle: Grades 6 - 12
Geology Comprehension Game: Grades 6 - 12
Other Links
Coloring and Activity Book
Rock Charts
Activities to support
Next Generation Science Standards
We currently have five posters in our Educational Poster Series. The fossil poster displays pictures of fossils that have been found in Arkansas, including invertebrate, vertebrate, plant and trace fossils. This poster also includes text of fossil facts. The mineral poster displays minerals that are present in Arkansas, along with the mineral name and chemical composition. The rock poster includes pictures of rocks classified under three major rock types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The rock name is displayed in the text under each classification. The physiographic provinces poster displays the five physiographic provinces of Arkansas and lists rocks and landforms characteristic of each provinces. The newest poster displays locations of mined resources in Arkansas.
Shipping Information
To receive a free copy of the posters contact the Arkansas Geological Survey (501) 296-1878. Either poster will be folded and mailed via United States Postal Service. If you prefer to receive the poster rolled the cost for shipping is $10. Please indicate which poster you wish to receive. Payments can be accepted over the phone.
GEOLOGY LEARNING CENTER
The Arkansas Geological Survey's Geology Learning Center is located at 1911 Thayer St. in Little Rock. Its purpose is to give students of earth science, of all ages, direct exposure to rocks, minerals, fossils, and fossil fuels in the presence of geologists who are involved every working day with those materials. The Geology Learning Center has a display area that is divided into 4 sections described below.
State Dinosaur
Economic Minerals
A selection of some of the many rocks and minerals used by humans and some of the products obtained from these earth materials. Metal ores from Arkansas currently on display range from A (antimony) to Z (zinc) and nonmetallic raw materials from A (Arkansas Novaculite) to Q (quartz).
Fossil Fuels
This area is devoted to Arkansas's fossil fuels -- petroleum, natural gas, coal and lignite. Information about their occurrence and how they are obtained is provided, and examples of some of the products obtained from them are shown.
Gems and Minerals
A selection of some of the many minerals found in Arkansas, including the most valuable-- diamonds. A large natural quartz cavity is set into a diorama of the vein-bearing wall of a local mine. A dark room contains an impressive display of minerals that fluoresce in black (ultra-violet) light.
Fossils
Featuring life-sized models of a dinosaur (Arkansaurus fridayi) and a pterosaur. Also shown are other vertebrate fossils, fossil trees, and some of the many important and fascinating invertebrate fossils found in Arkansas rocks.For guided visits for schools or other groups, we request that arrangements be made in advance. Adequate parking is available for school buses.
Location:
Norman F. Williams Well Sample Library and Learning Center
1911 S Thayer Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
Appointments must be made to come see the Norman F. Williams Well Sample Library!
Please call us at 501-296-1877
For more information contact the:
Office of the State Geologist
5301 Northshore Drive
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118
Phone: 501-296-1877
Scott M. Ausbrooks, Director & State Geologist