Forums

Hi, My apologies if this is not the place to ask this, but I'm out of resources. I'm a new first year Earth Science (and Physics) teacher at a small school and have inherited a lot of materials that are, unfortunately, incomplete or missing things. One of missing things just happens to be the key to a very large rock and mineral kit, and I have had no luck finding anything online. Here's what I know about the kit: 3 boxes labeled "2185 EARTH SCIENCE BOX#___ (## - ##)", 105 samples, including 12 igneous, 12 sedimentary, 12 metamorphic, 12 fossils, 57 minerals. Minerals are #1-57, igneous 58 - 69, metamorphic 70 - 81, sedimentary 81 - 93, fossils 94 - 105. It may be the Advanced Earth Science kit from Hubbard. Does anybody out there happen to have a key that might fit this kit? I think I have identified most of the rocks and minerals, but I would like to be certain. - Ashley Dies

To add on to Tina's suggestions, try the SUNY Oneonta Earth Sci listserv (ESPRIT) too! Good luck!

I have used the sites from Blackhawk College in Moline IL below in Earth science for keying. The key uses links to pictures which I found useful:

Igneous: http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/geol101/labs/igneous/
Sedimentary: http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/geol101/labs/sediment/index.htm
Metamorphic: http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/Geol101/labs/metamorf/

Hi Ashley and welcome to the NSTA discussion threads,
I am wondering if you are near a city like Chicago that has a Museum of Natural History, etc.? If nothing else, they would know of some experts in the field that might be more than happy to help you out. The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) may be of assistance, too. They might be able to provide a name of a geologist in your area that could help you. They have a great website with photos to help you identify some of the rocks and minerals: USGS Geology in the Parks. I think you could use it to identify many of the items in your collection.
Carolyn

Ashley, This might be a good opportunity to try taking some pictures of the the materials and posting them to see if they look familar ot anyone. It might be difficult to identify the source if the samples have been really handled a lot by students. We have our students wear disposable gloves when handling some minerals and rocks because the oils from their hands can affect the appearance of the specimens. Chris