Click on the Lesson Plans link to peruse our free lesson plans online or click on the appropriate link below to download directly.
Each extensive lesson plan includes experiments and activities for three age groups and worksheets as necessary. We hope you will find them a valuable tool to enhance your trip to the caverns. You will need Adobe Acrobat to open the files. If you don't aleady have Adobe Acrobat, click the "Get Adobe Acrobat" button to download this free software.
|
STATION 1: Cavern/Mine Tour
Click on the following links to read descriptions of the school tours at each location:
|
A unique and fun learning experience set in an unusual environment that makes for a great field trip
A modular program divided into "Stations" that can be customized to suit your time schedule, group size and budget
Free school lesson plans with activities and projects developed for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 on "Cavern Geology," "Cavern Life," and "People and Caverns" available to download from this web site!
School discounts for tours - the lowest prices we offer to anyone!
No prepayment required and no cancellation fees!
Free chaperones - one free adult chaperone from your school per fifteen students
Gemstone mining discount (see prices link below) and a free gemstone mining postcard for each participating student
Free, self-guided educational nature trail using our trail guide handouts (caverns only) or free above ground movie on the Gold Rush or Hard Rock Mining in our Gold Theatre (gold mine only)
Free thank you gift for the teacher
Free Student Achievement Awards on your request
Free return trip cavern tour coupon for each participating student
Special winter discount package deals offering substantial discounts off our already low school prices
Send Page To a Friend
|
STATION 2: Gemstone Mining
At the nearly 200-foot long flume system, students start with their own bag of mining "rough" that is guaranteed to contain lots of gemstones and minerals. Pouring it into a screen bottomed box, they use the flowing water in the flume to sift out the dirt leaving a variety of gems and minerals. A display with samples of the 20 possible gemstones that can be found is available for students to compare and identify their finds by observing size, color and shape, and each student gets a free postcard showing the same display. Go our Gemstone Mining page.
|
STATION 3: Nature Trail
(available at California Cavern & Moaning Cavern)
With the assistance of our free trail guide handouts, your students can learn about the local flora and fauna around Moaning or California Cavern on our maintained surface trails. The guides also include information about the Gold Rush and the Native Americans that once lived in the area. Please note that the trail is self-guided and you hike at your own risk. This station is FREE.
|
STATION 3: Gold Theatre
(available at Sutter Gold Mine only)
Our theater with large screen and tiered seats, has a 32 person capacity and makes a perfect addition to your field trip. Your students can watch an engaging and informative 22-minute movie set in a real hard rock gold mine. This kid-friendly documentary shows the modern mining and milling process from blasting through refining. This station is FREE.
|
 PBS kids science show DragonflyTV was shot at California Cavern and played nationwide in 2004. To see a slideshow of the stars and the filming, click HERE. Click on the link below to see part of the episode.
 |
|
