In addition to covering traditional topics found in a laboratory course, Investigating Earth, Second Edition, stands apart with unique pedagogical features, superior text, and an extensive art program. Pre-lab and post-lab activities, as well as "Try It" boxes give students a handle on unfamiliar material; also, each lab offers a variety of problem solving exercises. High quality, professional rock and mineral photos present each specimen as a hand sample, micrograph, and grain-size close-up. And, to introduce the material in a traditional manner, geologic time is presented earlier, while topographic maps have been placed later in the text.