As someone who loves rocks and minerals, finding a new sample is super exciting. Geologists use some very basic tools to help them determine the name of a rock or a mineral. Identifying a sample starts with discovering the names of the mineral or minerals, in the case of rocks. Mini Me Geology’s new Rock and Mineral Testing Kit has everything you need to get started with identifying your samples.
Filed under: Geology / Earth Science, Geology Experiments & Activities, Minerals & Crystals on August 22nd, 2016 | No Comments »
This week, homeschooling mom Sandra asked how she can teach rock and mineral identification when she is not a geologist. Our new book “Help, I Have to Teach Rock and Mineral Identification and I’m Not a Geologist!” is here to help. In this book, we break down all of the details you need to teach rock and mineral identification to elementary, middle and high school students.
Filed under: Ask-a-Geologist Q&A, Geology / Earth Science, Mini Me Geology Videos on May 8th, 2014 | No Comments »
Middle and high school students usually have a limited background in rock identification from elementary school. Elementary students focus on the three basic types of rocks and how they form. Middle and high school students can graduate to identifying different rock samples within the three basic types.
Filed under: Geology Education, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on January 13th, 2014 | No Comments »
Identifying rock samples is sometimes overwhelming to young students. Since there are three classes of rocks, each which have many different types, it can be very confusing when you start to explain the differences between each, especially because some look so much alike! If possible, teach the students about mineral identification before you move on to rocks, after all, rocks are simply a combination of one or more minerals.
Filed under: Geology Education, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on January 6th, 2014 | No Comments »
Today we have another great geology question from one of our readers.
Terrance writes: Why do scientists check rocks to see if they contain calcite?
Filed under: Ask-a-Geologist Q&A, Minerals & Crystals, Mini Me Geology Videos on December 12th, 2013 | No Comments »
You can have fun learning about rocks and minerals with this colorful set of rock and mineral identification flyers.
Filed under: Geology / Earth Science, Geology Education, Minerals & Crystals, Rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary & Metamorphic on December 5th, 2011 | No Comments »