Rocks and Minerals
- What is the difference between a rock and a mineral? Bob Reszka is a geologist with the State of Michigan and here is how he answers the question:
- Michigan has lots of important rocks and minerals. As a matter of fact, there is at least one for every letter of the alphabet! Download a list and photos of Michigan Minerals from A-Z.
- Mineral Identification Activity from Richard Harwood at Black Hawk College
- Activity for all grade levels: Using these two handouts, list as many uses for each mineral that you can find.
- Mineralogical Society of America's Mineralogy 4 Kids Rockin Internet Site. Enter the world of mineralogy. Get all the "dirt" on the rock family! Gotta Rocky question? They have the answer. http://www.minsocam.org/MSA/K12/K_12.html
- MIKIDS.COM Rocks and Minerals Quest
http://www.mikids.com/wq/rocks/Rocks.htm
- Deck the Halls with Boughs of … Minerals?
Was your home all decked out for the holidays? As you gazed at your glowing trimmings, you might have paused to wonder what gave your delightful décor some of its traditional seasonal color: cobalt oxide, cadmium sulfide and sulfur. According to USGS scientists who collect worldwide data on almost all mineral resources, holiday lights are made with these and other minerals from around the world. The world’s supply of minerals — such as salt, manganese and lime — lights up the holiday season, helping many nations and cultures to celebrate their long-time traditions. In 2007, the mineral materials processed domestically accounted for more than $575 billion in the U.S. economy. To learn more about how minerals make the holidays bright and the economy roll, visit http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1584. For more information about other mineral related topics, visit the USGS Mineral Resources Program Web site at http://minerals.usgs.gov/ or contact Dennis Kostick at (703) 648-7715 or dkostick@usgs.gov.
Check back again - We have more resources coming.