MONOLITH MONSTERS Educator
Information
Video Questions | Vocab
& Discussion | Answers
Content Areas:
Meteors, geology, crystals,
elements, chemical properties, medical technology.
Grade Levels:
5-8, 9-12
National
Science Content Standards:
B = Physical
Science
D = Earth and Space Science
Synopsis:
A meteorite containing
crystals with strange properties crashes onto the Earth. The crystals are
discovered to absorb all silicates in the presence of water. The crystals, when
wet, grow to giant proportions, then fall and crush anything in their path. To
stop the crystals from destroying the town, a geologist discovers that the
crystal growth is halted by salt water.
Good Science:
The explanation about meteors
at the beginning of the film is excellent. Some minerals do have properties that
change in the presence of water. The use of the "iron lung" for patients of that
time is correct. The proper methods for determining the identification of a rock
are presented correctly. Great salt flats are the remnants of ancient oceans.
Bad Science:
There is no known crystal
that absorbs and grows as the one shown. If salt water stops the crystals from
growing, then humans (filled with saline water) would not be affected.
Extension:
A rock sold as the "popcorn
rock" does grow crystals when placed in a shallow dish of water.
Media Center
Extension:
Become NASA certified to
borrow and display lunar and meteorite materials for the school, and display
them for classes. Contact NASA for more information on the Lunar-Meteorite
Sample Loan Program at
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/development/Lunar_Sample.html
.
Contact local rock collecting
clubs, associations or organizations and set up a display in the media center
for classes to observe. Search for organizations online or visit Rockhound clubs
by state at
http://www.worldofrockhounds.com/clubs.html or visit the Geological Society
of America
http://www.geosociety.org/ for organization lists.
Web Resources:
Mineral Gallery:
http://minerals.gallery.com
USGS General Interest
Publications: http://pubs.usgs.gov/products/books/gip.html
Mineral Information
Institute:
www.mii.org
As the information available
on the Web is constantly changing we recommend that you search for new sites
that relate to this lesson/film.
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