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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How We Use Rocks: Part 1

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students are introduced to rocks and their physical properties. We use rock and mineral products everyday. In fact, each person in the United States uses an average of 10 tons of rock and mineral products every year.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Froth Flotation

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders experiment with the froth flotation process to extract metallic ore by using basic chemicals and equipment in the science classroom.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How is Gold Found in the Ground?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a series of activities designed to simulate mining for gold. They pan for "gold" and create a safe tunnel.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extraction (What's in the cereal you eat?)

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students conduct an investigation with cereal that simulates the extraction of minerals from rock. They mix iron fortified cereal until the iron is extracted and shows on a magnetic stick that is painted white.
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Worksheet
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Curated OER

Quartz

For Students 9th - 12th
In this quartz activity, students read about the chemical structure and properties of quartz and its commercial applications. Then, students complete 7 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Mining Disasters

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the risks and sacrifices miners have made in order for all of us to have the use of precious metals. They explore the "Miners Museum" website and read the article on uses of coal. They brainstorm a list of what would be...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries: Building Blocks of Planets

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate the formation of chondrites and asteroids. In this astronomy lesson, students demonstrate accretion using balloons and static electricity. They compare and contrast their models to the actual process of chondrites and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PICTURE PERFECT PYRAMID

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a model of the USDA's Food Pyramid Guide, using shoe boxes. They bring an assortment of shoe boxes from home. Students are given a copy of the "Food Guide Pyramid." They wrap boxes for the bread group in white, the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crystal Growing

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore the different phases of a crystal.  In this mineral lesson students grow their own sugar crystals using a sugar recipe. 
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Unit Plan
Calvin Crest Outdoor School

Survival

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Equip young campers with important survival knowledge with a set of engaging lessons. Teammates work together to complete three outdoor activities, which include building a shelter, starting a campfire, and finding directions in the...
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Lesson Plan
SF Environment

Pre-School Composting and Recycling!

For Teachers Pre-K
You can never be too young to get involved in composting or recycling. Here is a lesson that has been made for the very littlest learners and it's all about the importance of conservation. They'll sort compostable and recyclable objects,...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Quartz DBQ

For Students 7th - 12th
In this quartz worksheet, students read about the chemical composition of quartz and its commercial applications. Then students complete 7 short answer questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mohs Hardness Test

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine what the Mohs Hardness Scale is before testing a number of minerals to determine their place on the scale. They test a fingernail, a penny, a knife blade, a metal file, and several unknown minerals and rocks using...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecological Impact of Cyanide Heap Leaching

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore the environment by researching mining. In this ecological dangers lesson, students define cyanide and discuss why it has potential to be a great threat to our environment during mining expeditions. Students examine many...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gold Mine

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students investigate gold. In this gold panning lesson, students demonstrate the process of mining through an experiment using two boxes of sand. Students design a safe way to mine gold.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Birdseed Mining Activity

For Teachers K - 12th
Students investigate how small amounts of minerals or metals are mined out of very large masses of rock using birdseed. They study the economics of valuable commodities. They look at environmentally conscious mining and how reclamation...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes Inside Planets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the concept of planetary differentiation. They complete an experiment to simulate it using gelatin and food. The activity includes vocabulary to increase reading comprehension skills as part of the inquiry. The...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bird Seed Mining

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students search through the seed mixture and separate out our "mine" beads, sunflower seeds, and other grain products, making piles of each. students count up the number of gold, silver, and blue beads, and sunflower seeds from their piles
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Science Review for Grade 3 (3.5)

For Students 3rd
In this science review for grade 3 (3.5) worksheet, 3rd graders answer 25 multiple choice questions in standardized test format about fossils, simple machines and heat transfer.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WS 9.9 Presentation Questions

For Teachers 9th - 11th
In this presentation worksheet, students answer questions about five different topics presented in class. These include acid rain, acid etching, pH testing, cave formation and kidney stones.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes Inside Planets

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Young scholars relate meteorites to the mantle and crust of asteroids.  In this planetary lesson students complete experiments to model the separation of light.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sustainable Development

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders explore the difference between natural and man-made environments.  In this renewable resources lesson students evaluate the economic importance of resources. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WS 8.9 Presentation Questions

For Teachers 9th - 11th
In this mixtures worksheet, learners answer twenty three questions about student presentations on topics such as amalgams, homogenized milk, antifreeze and coolants, soaps and detergents and water softeners.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gold Mine

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students view and discuss a demonstration of how gold is mined and panned. They design and create a tunnel that has reinforcements to withstand collapse.