3D Models of Minerals and More! Activity Source: Earth Science Information Partners’ Education Committee and the Paleontological Research Institution Grade Levels: 6-12 Introduction Mineral ores like chromite and magnesite are used to produce the critical minerals chromium and magnesium. Chromium is key for producing stainless steel and magnesium is essential for structural parts of automobiles and electronics. Learn more about these minerals by exploring three-dimensional (3D) models. With 3D scans of actual mineral-containing samples, you can manipulate samples on-screen, carefully observing their properties. [Read More]

A Mineral Tour of National Parks Activity Source: National Park Service Grade levls: 6-10 Introduction Across the United States, National Parks preserve landscapes shaped by powerful Earth processes that concentrate and reveal a wide variety of minerals. In this activity, you will explore the rocks and minerals in five National Parks to uncover the range of Earth processes that have shaped the United States. Materials Computer (or tablet/phone) with internet access [Read More]

A Paste with a Taste Activity Source: Adapted by the MEC from Women in Mining Education Foundation Education Activities Purpose To allow students to produce a “marketable” product made from minerals that are used by most people every day. Both the abrasive and cleansing compounds found in toothpaste, calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, are minerals. Materials Calcium carbonate (finely powdered unflavored TUMS will work) Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) Small plastic cups (1 for each student) Popsicle sticks for stirring (1 for each student) Eye droppers (1 for each group) Plastic spoons (1 for each group) Water Assorted food colors and flavorings (sugar, mint extract, etc. [Read More]

Birdseed Mining Activity Source: “Birdseed Mining,” Women in Mining Education Foundation Education Activities, 2005. Adapted with permission. Background Mining is a complex process in which valuable or useful materials are removed from large masses of rock. Materials Wild bird food - any birdseed mix that contains sunflower seeds and at least two other seed varieties Shallow pans Small beads (approximately 2mm) in blue, gold, and silver Medium beads (approximately 4-6 mm) in white Procedure Organize groups of four to six students. [Read More]

Cookie Mining Women in Mining Activity Source: Adapted from Women in Mining Education Foundation activities Purpose The purpose of this activity is to give the player an introduction to the economics of mining. Each player buys “property,” purchases the “mining equipment,” pays for the “mining operation,” and finally pays for the “reclamation.” In return, the player receives money for the “ore mined.” The object of the game is to develop the mine, safeguard the environment, and make as much money as possible. [Read More]

Critical Minerals Search Activity Source: Minerals Education Coalition Grade Level: 6-12 Materials Device with internet access. Copy of this activity with the student worksheet and a pen or pencil. Introduction There is concern over the large quantity of mineral commodities crucial to defense, medicine, and technology that must be imported by the United States (U.S.) each year. The U.S. faces three key challenges in securing mineral commodities: obtaining mining permits, managing supply chain disruption, and navigating restrictions on imports and exports. [Read More]

Density of Minerals Activity Source: Adapted with permission by Minerals Education Coalition; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. Density is an intrinsic physical property of minerals that relates to the composition of the mineral and to the pattern in which the mineral’s atoms are arranged. “Intrinsic” means that the property is the same for the mineral, no matter what the size or shape of the sample. In this activity, students will measure and compare the densities of minerals. [Read More]

Determining Mineral Reserves Activity Source: Minerals Education Coalition. This activity was adapted with permission from theOhio Mining & Mineral Education Program (OMMEP) of the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA) in partnership with Wright State University. Common things we use every day, like roads, sidewalks, schools, hospitals and homes ─ to name just a few ─ are made up of rocks and minerals. As a resource, they are called mineral reserves and include materials like sand, gravel, limestone, granite, and other aggregate and construction materials. [Read More]

Exploring Porosity Activity Source: The NEED Project. Adapted with permission. Earth scientists play a vital role in harvesting the energy resources on which we all rely. When preparing to drill for oil, for example, geoscientists must assess many aspects of a rock stratum (layer). For example, they must figure out the volume of the rock’s pores, or empty spaces, as compared with the rock’s total volume. This is called the rock’s porosity. [Read More]

From Puddle to Mineral Activity Source: Geological Soceity of America Grade Levels: 5-10 Introduction* Not every mineral is dug out of solid rock. Some of the most important minerals in products, such as lithium in phone and car batteries, or the borax used in electronics, glass, and detergents, are actually harvested from brine, a solution of water containing dissolved minerals. When brine sits in shallow pools and the water evaporates in the sun, mineral deposits are left behind. [Read More]