[Rockhounds] Importance of mineral education

[Sicree, Andrew, Ph.D.]

There have been a number of posts discussing
the mineral collecting hobby and the importance of
education of both hobbyists and the general public.

Mineral collectors need to know more about
mineralogy and the uses of minerals and the public
needs to have a better understanding of how
minerals are used in daily life and where they
come from...

Groups like the Minerals Information Institute
do a good job of preparing materials for use by school
students and teachers.  Mineral clubs might find these
materials useful as well.

Diamond Dan has some great products aimed at
youngsters.  Clubs will find them very helpful for
Junior Rockhounds programs and for shows.

Education is important for all of us - we need
to keep working at it.

Helping mineral collectors learn more about minerals
is the reason I write the monthly Popular Mineralogy 
supplements.  Popular Mineralogy tries to help mineral
clubs educate their members by providing understandable
science articles that club editors can use in their
clubs' newsletters.

If you'd like a sample and a subscription form,
please send (off-list) your name and address to me at
sicree at verizon.net

Andrew

Andrew A. Sicree, Ph.D.
Professional Mineralogist