Schools Science Clips - Rocks and soils

Rock and Mineral Prospecting Primitive Technology and Native Arts Continued from Page 1 Rock and Mineral Prospecting Any long-term survival training should include techniques for mining and collecting ores and other useful minerals. A mineral is composed of either a single element (like gold) or compound of elements (like sodium chlorine - aka table salt). As a rule, minerals have a solid, crystalline form. Rocks are created initially by magma (below the surface) or lava flowing above the surface of the earth. Igneous - born directly from volcanic output, like granite and basalt Metamorphic - existing rocks that were reshaped after extreme pressure and heat, like slate Sedimentary - rocks composed of layers of clays, silts, fossils and other sediments eroded and washed away from mountains, like limestone and shale Minerals large enough to be visible to the naked eye were produced (in most cases)from magma that solidified below the Earth's surface. Rock Charts, Photos and Identification Sulfur Mineral Identification

Common Misconceptions About Rocks and Minerals — Rocks and Minerals Although the research base for geologic misconceptions is not as extensive as that of other disciplines within earth and space science, it is clear that students and teachers alike hold a wide range of incorrect ideas about rocks, minerals, and the rock cycle. To promote accurate scientific instruction, it is important that teachers are cognizant of their own understanding and seek to continually improve their content knowledge. Formative assessment can provide a great deal of insight into student thinking before, during, and after instruction. Geologic Misconceptions Geologic misconceptions can take many forms – the language used to define and describe specimens, relevant properties for classification, the rock cycle, and geologic time. Communication Breakdown A major source of geologic misconceptions is the discrepancy between the use of geologic terms in everyday language versus scientific communication. Other words, such as mineral and crystal, are also misused in everyday language.

Collecting Rocks by Rachel M. Barker Rocks Tell the Story of the Earth The Earth is made of rock, from the tallest mountains to the floor of the deepest ocean. Thousands of different types of rocks and minerals have been found on Earth. Rocks are continually changing. Types of Rocks Geologists classify rocks in three groups, according to the major Earth processes that formed them. Igneous rocks are formed from melted rock that has cooled and solidified. Sedimentary rocks are formed at the surface of the Earth, either in water or on land. Sometimes sedimentary and igneous rocks are subjected to pressures so intense or heat so high that they are completely changed. Rock-forming and rock-destroying processes have been active for billions of years. Starting a Collection A good rock collection consists of selected, representative, properly labeled specimens. Identifying Rocks Many books about geology explain the identification and classification of rocks and describe the underlying geologic principles.

Mineral Properties, Uses and Descriptions Diamond Diopside Dolomite Enstatite Epidote Fluorite Fuchsite Galena Garnet Glauconite Gold Graphite Gypsum