Procedure
The first part of this activity is to help students conquer the urge to touch things.
- Spread the items on a table and cover with the sheet (possible items could include toys, candy, crayons, rocks, books)
- Have students stand around the table. Ask them to remember a time when they were told to not touch something and ask them what they did. Let a few tell their stories of how they sneaked a quick touch anyway.
- Explain that this activity is a no-touching activity. Have them discuss possible ways that they can resist the urge to touch (hands in pockets or behind back, etc.)
- Uncover the items and have the students circle the table giving everyone the chance to see all the items up close. Then have them go back to their seats and cover the table again.
- Ask students to describe the items they saw by referring to color, shape and texture. This will help them learn that they do not need to touch something in order to observe and understand it.
The second part of this activity is to show students how a simple touch can affect something.
- Pass the spotless mirror/glass around so that each student gets a chance to touch it.
- When you get it back, walk around showing each student all the fingerprints that are now covering it. These are the natural human oils and contaminants that we deposit each time we touch something. When touching a cavern formation, these oils actually prevent further growth. In a sense, a person kills the area of the formation they touch.
Grades 5 – 8
• Find out the proper places and procedures for disposing of waste.
• Play the Cavern Adventure Board Game included here.
Grades 9 – 12
• Develop a trash cleanup campaign in your community focusing on sewage problems, chemical dumping, etc. near waterways and karst areas.
