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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Minerals, Crystals, and Gems

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Through this series of three lessons, learners will gain an understanding of the basics of mineral science. In their investigation they will also work through the scientific process as they practice their observation skills, form...
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: When Science Is Sweet: Growing Rock Candy Crystals

For Students 3rd - 5th
Though rock candy seems to be a simple enough treat, it is also pretty interesting to make. Crystallized sugar that can be grown from a sugar-water solution is just how rock candy is made. In this experiment, you will learn to make your...
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Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Using Food Labels

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Do you know how to read a food label? Food labels provide important information about the nutritional value of foods. In this lesson plan students will learn about food labels, healthful eating, nutrition facts, and units of measurement...
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Website
Other

The image.com: Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a very large list of minerals complete with image and physical descriptions, chemical descriptions, and classification.
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Lesson Plan
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit [Pdf]

For Teachers K - 1st
This teacher's guide consisting of 10 activity based learning exercises defines what a mineral deposit is and how a mineral deposit is identified and measured, how the mineral resources are extracted, how the mining site is reclaimed,...
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Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Lead Soft and Easy to Cast [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This detailed resource teaches about lead and the important role it plays in the national economy, national security, and lives of Americans every day. Discover how we use lead, where it comes from, and where future lead supplies might...
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Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Fact Sheet: Molybdenum a Key Component of Metal Alloys [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this detailed fact sheet to learn about molybdenum and the important role it plays in the national economy, national security, and lives of Americans every day. Discover how we use it, where we can find it, and where we can find...
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Unit Plan
Other

Rocks and Minerals in Nova Scotia

For Teachers 6th - 8th
An excellent lesson for teachers to use when researching rocks and minerals in Nova Scotia.
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Activity
Other

Rock'n Metal

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an educational game that teaches about the mining industry. Participants must register for a user ID but it is quick to do. Once inside, you have access to detailed information about geology, exploration and development,...
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Website
Other

Mineral Resources Branch

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive site looks at many aspects of minerals and mining in Nova Scotia.
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Website
Other

Geologynet: Rock Forming Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
Use the search to find information on rock forming minerals. Characteristics including formula, color, cleavage, and hardness are presented in an easy-to-read chart.
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Website
Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Online Exhibitions

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A collection of exhibits that can be found online allowing students to research the museums' artifacts and displays. Exhibits include earth science and dinosaurs topics.
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Handout
US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: Rocks and Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
Essential guide to geology of the National Parks focuses on minerals and the different types of rocks. Includes a visual glossary.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Department of Mineral Sciences Collections

For Students 9th - 10th
A searchable database of minerals and gems. Search by keyword or pre-defined characteristics. A Help section is available as well for aid in searching.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Department of Mineral Sciences

For Students 9th - 10th
Useful interface and gateway into the research collections of the Department of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Find information, image galleries, exhibits, specimens, and related resources about...
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Activity
University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia: Soil Components

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this interactive website to learn everything you wanted to know about the four components of soil: minerals, organic, water, and air. Many links along the way assist with comprehension by allowing you to view photographs, charts, and...
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Georgia Virtual Learning: Geology: Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
In this amazing interactive tutorial, you'll learn about minerals - the building blocks or rocks and the Earth. We'll talk about what makes something a mineral, and how differences in these minerals let us organize them into different...
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Unit Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Materials and Minerals

For Students 9th - 10th
Seven hands-on lessons module that allows students to learn about materials and minerals. These inquiry-based explorations investigate properties of materials, where mineral deposits can be found, how deposits are formed, how minerals...
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Website
National Institutes of Health

National Institutes of Health: Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact Sheets

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a wealth of information on the vitamins and minerals that the human body requires. Click on any nutrient to access a page of resources, then click on the 'Consumer' resource. Discusses what the nutrient does, how much...
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Unit Plan
OpenStax

Open Stax: Anatomy & Physiology: Nutrition and Diet

For Students 9th - 10th
Explain how different foods and eating a healthy diet can affect a person's metabolism. Also learn reasons why vitamins and minerals are critical to a healthy diet.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Engineering for the 3 Little Pigs

For Students 3rd - 5th
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate the importance of rocks, soils and minerals in engineering and how using the right material for the right job is important. The students build three different sand castles and test them for...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Cereal Magnets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students will design a process that removes the most iron from the cereal. This activity is meant for the students to experiment with different materials using what they know about iron, magnets, and forces to design...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Fortified Breakfast

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this lesson, students will learn that minerals are a necessary part of our diet. They will learn that different minerals have different functions in the body. More specifically, they will discover that iron is necessary to carry...
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Lesson Plan
Minerals Ed

Mineral Resources Education Program of Bc: Teacher Resources

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Teachers find resources connected to the minerals industry of British Columbia, including comprehensive units for all grade levels, with specific curriculum links to provincial curriculum, and integrated science kits.