Take young geologists on an exploration of the collection of rocks and minerals that we call Earth with an upper-elementary science lesson. Through a series of class discussion and hands-on investigations, learners learn about the...

Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...

Apply the principles of geology to a series of collaborative, hands-on class activities. Young earth scientists learn more about igneous, metamorphic, and sedentary rocks before classifying and weathering rocks that they find....

Young geologists attempt to predict the appearnace of a geode's internal structure based on how it looks from the outside, its mass, and its physical characteristics. In this geologly activity, learners use scientific equipment to...

High schoolers explore the basic building blocks of our planet.  In this minerals instructional activity high schoolers begin the process of forensics on the basis of investigation and drawing conclusions from observations. 

In this minerals worksheet, students read an excerpt about gold and then respond to the questions that follow. They explain how the weight of gold affected the history of some western states and why gold is expensive.

In this mineral worksheet, students conduct mineral tests on unknown minerals and use the identification chart to determine which mineral they have tested. They test 5 unknown minerals and write the results of their tests in a chart.

Students explore the different phases of a crystal.  In this mineral lesson students grow their own sugar crystals using a sugar recipe. 

Young scholars bring in rocks and minerals from home. They observe them and describe them carefully, completing a worksheet. Finally, a classroom exhibit is created.

Learners bring rocks and minerals from home to investigate in the classroom. In this rocks and minerals lesson plan, students observe all the rocks and minerals brought into the class and answer 7 questions about the features of the...

Science rocks! Explore three types of rocks and the rock cycle with an igneous rocks experiment. Pupils discuss textures, composition, and learn how melts are formed from the Earth's crust. They weigh materials using a scientific scale...

High schoolers focus on a study of igneous rocks. They see how igneous rocks are formed, and how to distinguish them from other types of rocks. A crystal-growing activity is present, and learners create drawings that show where each...

Students study the basic elements of the Earth's crust: rocks, soils and minerals. They categorize rocks, soils and minerals and how they are literally the foundation for our civilization. They also explore how engineers use rock soils...

Learners discover how crystal structures go together to create minerals.  In this earth science lesson, students work in groups to create 3-dimensional shapes of crystals that they then put together in a compact structure.

Students examine the compositions and structure of diamonds. They conduct an experiment growing crystals, watch a video, and conduct Internet research.

In this minerals worksheet, students read about the relationship between elements, rocks and minerals. They experiment using 6 different colored gumdrops to represent 6 common elements. Students construct gumdrop and toothpick models of...

In this minerals worksheet, students are given 6 statements about minerals and they find the errors in each sentence and re-write each properly. They also fill in the blanks for 8 sentences with given terms related to minerals, groups of...

Students define the properties of minerals and their uses in their world. For this multi-lesson unit, students contribute actively to discussions of mineral mining, mining methods and mine safety. A role play lesson asks students to...

Students investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of minerals. They make a list of the uses of minerals found in Illinois. They write a report individually based on their observations.

In this mineral identification worksheet, learners read nine vocabulary words and answer 5 short answer and fill-in-the-blank questions regarding minerals. There are four additional pages of related activities. 

Students learn and practice identifying Earth's minerals and their properties. Working in small groups, they evaluate minerals. This is a well-described lesson plan, which students enjoy.

In this earth science learning exercise, students find the vocabulary words related to minerals by unscrambling the letters. They also complete other word puzzles.

Students define the characteristics of a mineral. In this geology lesson, students are given out various materials to observe such as a chicken bone, salt shaker, white paint, and chalk. Students categorize the items and are told what...

Students explore the concept of minerals. In this minerals lesson, students discuss how cooling affects the size of crystals. Students discuss how the structure of minerals is a tetrahedron. Students discuss the structure of silicates...