Note: Every question below has a short answer with it and a more detailed response at the other end of this link. 

Rock Box for Elementary and Intermediate Grades (Approx. 2-6)
What's in the box?
The US Polar Rock Repository has a collection of materials - both hands-on and paper/pencil - for teachers and other educators (for example, scout leaders) to borrow. Some specifics:

• A teacher's guide-- a 2-inch, 3-ring binder with background materials, activities, and student worksheets, as well as other materials relevant to Antarctica in particular, and Geology in general.
• 5 triple-lens, hand-held magnifiers
• 9 books about Antarctica and Geology-related topics
• Rock samples (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary), all from Antarctica.

An inventory checklist, included inside the box, can also be downloaded and printed.

Do the activities align with curriculum standards?
The Activities binder has an entire section on alignment to Standards. The Rock Box was developed in Ohio, but both national and State of Ohio standards were used for alignment. Read a letter from the USPRR Curator.

How can I get one for my class?
Simply fill out the Rock Box Order Form and we'll ship one to you if your school is in the United States.

Is it free? 
Sort of.
A $50.00 deposit is required with a personal check, money order, or purchase order. But, if the Box is returned as described (nothing broken or missing, except for what you get to keep), your check will be returned to you, uncashed.

How long can I keep it?  
We would like to have the Box back to the USPRR within the 21-day maximum time limit. Other teachers who made plans for using the box, are depending on it being returned on time.

Can I keep anything from the box for my class?  
Yes. Materials are itemized below.

• A large wall map of Antarctica made and distributed by the National Geographic Society in collaboration with The Ohio State University
  
• 2 Byrd Polar Research Center pins
  
• 2 copies of Dig into Rocks
  
• 1 Large USPRR label/sticker
  
• 1 Ohio State University folder with Rock Respository information
  
• 1 picture signed by Admiral Byrd (a copy, of course)
  
• 1 Letter from Amelia Earhart to Admiral Byrd (also a copy)
  
• CD-ROM with Antarctic photos in PowerPoint
  

Not bad, is it?

How should I return it?  
A pre-addressed, pre-paid shipping label is included in the Box. All you do is fill in your name or your school's, add the address, phone DHL Shipping, and someone from DHL will come to your school to pick it up. Details are with the box.

What if I'm late shipping the Rock Box back to USPRR? 
A late fee.

More information

Requesting the Rock Box
To request a rock box, simply fill out the online order form. Your order will be sent to the USPRR Curator. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you with the date the box is leaving the USPRR. It is possible that a rock box is not available for the date you have requested; we will let you know if this is the case.

Deposit
A refundable deposit of $50.00 is required, payable with money order, check, or purchase order. When your deposit arrives at USPRR, your Rock Box will be shipped to you.

Check-out period
The maximum check-out time period is 21 days (calendar days, not school days) from the day the Rock Box leaves the Repository.

Shipping and return
The materials will be sent out the day your deposit arrives at the USPRR; the box will be shipped directly to you via DHL shipping. Arrangements can be made for individuals to pick up and/or drop off the Rock Box in person, saving the cost of shipping. Contact the Repository curator to make arrangements.

Reservations
Boxes can be reserved well in advance. Just use the online order form.

Classroom materials
Specific materials are designated to remain with the borrowing educator. Other materials and/or activities are available online.

NOTICE!  NOTICE!  NOTICE!  NOTICE!

An inventory checklist is included with each shipment. If the Rock Boxes are returned on time, and nothing is broken or missing (only specific materials are to remain with the educator), the entire deposit will be returned. If items are broken and/or missing, replacement costs will be deducted from the deposit. If the time stamp on the Rock Box's DHL pick-up label is more that one day beyond the expected shipping date, a fee of $5.00/day will be deducted from the deposit, to a maximum of the amount of the deposit. Contact the Curator for adjustments if needed.

Dear Educators,

We have extensively referred to and shaped our learning activities around the Academic Content Standards: K-12 Science manual published by the Ohio Department of Education and the Center for Curriculum and Assessment. We have provided copies from this manual that reflect the appropriate Benchmarks for Science Literacy and National Science Education Standards that are required, according to science topic and grade level for the State of Ohio.

We wanted to make sure our educational activities and topics focused on the content standards that are mandated by the state, and therefore are an integral part of your classroom curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Thus, the purpose of this project reflects heavily on inspiring scientific inquiry and the engagement of students on all levels to become involved in important issues surrounding science and technology, especially in the geologic field of study.

-Dr. Anne Grunow
Geologist and Curator
U.S. Polar Rock Repository

References: Both of the following documents are available online in their entirety and can also be ordered online.

Benchmarks for Science Literacy: Chapter 4-The Physical Setting (Order a print copy.)

National Science Education Standards: Chapter 6-Science Content Standards (Order a print copy.)