Bob Jackson's Mineral Lab

Yesterday local geologist Bob Jackson came to our classroom to teach us all about identifying minerals!  He brought the materials needed to test 18 different minerals for hardness, streak color, and cleavage (how the mineral breaks).  Working in teams, students tested and identified the mystery minerals as quickly as they could - and every mineral they correctly identified, they got to keep!  Every student went home with a brand-new mineral collection, along with an identifying sheet.

Mr. Jackson runs Geology Adventures, which gives people the chance to go hunting for crystals, amber, and rocks with this fabulously knowledgeable retired geologist.  If you're interested in learning more about what geologists do, be sure to check out his site!