Geokids Program

The day begins on the steps of the Mitchell Building. With a brief introduction of what geologists study, the students are off to three different stations.

In the rock lab, students examine rocks and learn to identify igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

In the fossil lab, students examine a variety of fossils and learn how plants and animals may be preserved in rocks as fossils. They make a fossil of their own

In the mineral lab, students see that minerals have different colors and hardnesses. They record their findings in their field guide.

In the soil lab, students dig in the soil to look at the particles and find what lives there. They paint with soil minerals such as hematite, pyrite, and goethi

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What could be better than a morning of constructing fossils, soil painting and the lava game? First and second grade students from local public schools come on a field trip to explore and experience these fun and engaging activities at Stanford. They are introduced to the "work of a geologist" with hands-on educational activities, focusing on minerals, rocks, fossils and soil.  The mid-morning break is a fun running game we call the erupting volcano.

Each student gets an official Geology Field Book (7.7 Mb pdf) to record their observations, just like real geologists. The activities are led by graduate and undergraduate students, who eagerly volunteer to express their love of geology. Both young and old enjoy this fun and rewarding experience.

Geokids Registration for 2011-12

Application Form was due on September 13.   We do not accept late applications.  The program is over subscribed. 

Geokids will be offered on Thursdays only, in the Fall and Spring only. The program begins at 9:15 am and runs until 11:30 am. Schools with 3 classes will be scheduled on one day. Schools with 4 or more classes will most likely be divided and partnered with another school.

1. A random lottery will be used when processing applications.
2. Applications will be due in mid September.
3. We will begin processing applications after the due date and will let you know via email by the end of September on your school's status. We will be contacting schools who prefer to come in October as soon as possible. We have put together lending kits to do Geokids activities in your classroom. These were designed to take the activities that we offer in Geokids on campus into the classroom. We hope that teachers who are not selected in the lottery will take advantage of these kits.

Download Handbook for Lending Kits

Please check the Frequently Asked Questions section.

For more information about the Geokids registration process, please contact Jennifer Saltzman, Director of Outreach Education, at (650)725-2410.

For more information about the Geokids program, please contact Angie Chung, GeoKids TA.