Minerals
![Minerals](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/images/u937/2019/Mineral%20slide_1.jpg)
Examples of visual and interactive mineral displays to be adapted to existing specimens in the Lloyd Schmaltz Museum of Earth History.
Minerals
How often do you encounter minerals in your daily life?
![Minerals](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/small/public/images/u937/2019/Minerals%20II_1.jpg?itok=Nwm1a3qB)
Possibly more often than you think. Did you know that it takes over eight separate minerals just to build a single light bulb; six to build a refrigerator; five to build a dishwasher; at least four (major minerals) to build a computer, a radio, or even a toilet; and three to build a standard arm chair. Also, did you know that a ruby and a sapphire have the same chemical formula, but why are they so different? Welcome to the wonderful world of minerals and gemstones; from the incredible complexities of their formation to their invaluable uses in our everyday lives, minerals are one of the more underappreciated natural resources on our planet.
Minerals and gemstones currently make-up the majority of displays in the Schmaltz Museum of Earth History. Presently, there is a concentrated effort to maximize the educational and aesthetic potential of our collections. Donations will be used to improve the pre-existing collection of minerals and gemstones by purchasing new display cases, improving lighting, and re-designing older cases to maximize viewing potential. In addition, the purchase of an interactive mineral teaching center will offer several learning programs designed to teach the public and student body basic mineralogy, processes of mineral formation, and petrology.
Costs
We anticipate a total budget of $25,000 to complete the design, construction, and maintenance phases of this project.
Giving
To make a donation
- Select the donation button below
- Select Lloyd Schmaltz Museum of Earth History
- Enter gift amount
- Fill out the remaining *required fields
- To specify which project you would like your funds allocated to or to provide additional comments, select "yes" to the question: "would you like to provide additional comments or special instructions about your gift".
- Type in which project you would like to support (examples: Arc Science Omniglobe, Minerals, Ice Ages, Donate a Dinosaur, etc). To view a list of all of the projects, see Museum Development.
- To submit your donation, click "Give Now"