[Rockhounds] Junior Geology

[Alan Goldstein]

Sounds like you could create a game show atmosphere (like Jeopardy or Match 
Game) with some of these activities. Prizes for all contestants! For 
instance...

A typical piece of granite doesn't contain this mineral:
A. Quartz
B. Galena
C. Feldspar
D. Mica

I realize that mica and feldspar are groups of minerals, but there really 
isn't any point to being a stickler for a 9 year old!

or how about...

Which rock is metamorphic?

A. Limestone
B. Coal
C. Basalt
D. Quartzite

If you could obtain samples of various rocks and minerals that are the 
topics of the game, those could be prizes.

You could also do the game "Concentration" where you have to match two 
samples on a board with 24 specimens covered by paper cups. The idea is  to 
match the samples. When they lift two cups with identical items, they can 
receive a prize (perhaps one or both of those specimens). Again, two or more 
players can compete on the same board. Toss in fossils, rocks and minerals! 
Have a stack of labels and baggies to put them in.

There are many possible games that could be designed based on old and 
extisting TV game shows.

Alan


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kreigh Tomaszewski" <Kreigh at tomaszewski.net>
To: "Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem collectors" 
<rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 10:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] Junior Geology


> Anita,
>
> There are several other matching games you can play...
>
> Matching minerals to rocks. For example, granite typically contains
> quartz, feldspar, and mica.
>
> Sorting out igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock and
> mineral specimens.
>
> Matching before and after metamorphic rocks. Sandstone becomes
> quartzite as an example.
>
> Matching ores to the metals/products that come from them.
>
> Matching mineral specimens to their crystal systems.
>
> You could have kids polish rocks by hand on sheets of sandpaper glued
> down to boards, and polish them on felt or carpet.
>
> Have them identify minerals by streak and hardness tests. Just pick your
> 'unknowns' carefully so you don't have two with the same combination.
>
> Have a display of the 26 most common rocks and minerals they are likely
> to find in the area. Don't forget to include some common landscaping
> rocks like marble chips. Use nail polish to put a letter on each
> specimen because they will get mized up as the kids handle them.
>
> And if you are brave, play Stump The Expert. Invite kids to bring a rock
> or mineral specimen they found (in their yard) for identification.
>
> Sounds like fun!
>
> Kreigh
>
>
>
>
>
> Anita D. Westlake wrote:
>>
>> Hi Folks:
>>    I'm staffing a booth at an upcoming festival here in Atlanta. The
>> organizer wanted me to do something on "Jr. Geology". I've thought about
>> getting a baby swimming pool, filling it with sand and hiding some
>> "treasures" from the rock world.
>>    I've also got a thing called "The Name Game" where you match up rocks
>> with their names.
>>    Does anyone have any other ideas? This is for the 1-12 year old crowd, 
>> so
>> I need something quick and dirty. Nothing complicated, but something they
>> can learn from and enjoy. (I don't ask for much do I?)
>>    Thanks for any ideas you can share,
>> Anita
>>
>>
>> --
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