‘Open Door, Explore’

Self-Programmed Wednesdays at The Manchester Museum

Rocks and Minerals Gallery – KS4 (Booking Essential)

This activity enables your students to explore the specimens in the Rocks and Minerals

gallery by relating them to priorities and the uses of those specimens in everyday objects. It also uses the gallery to find out some important concepts in earth sciences.

The Rocks and Minerals gallery at The Manchester Museum contains a wide variety of

rocks and minerals specimens from the local area, the rest of the UK and around the

world. As well as the geological specimens, there are displays and models exploring the structure of the earth, plate tectonics and rock cycle.

You will need to print out and cut out the correct number of cards and images for your

group, along with the earth sciences worksheet and bring it with you on your visit to use this 30 minute activity

Below is a guide to complete 30 minute workshop in the gallery space:

1. Allow your students to explore the gallery independently for 3 minutes.

2. Split your students into two groups and give each one the following 10 minute activity:

a. Earth Sciences Explorer: Using the model of the earth and the information provided, challenge your students to complete the worksheet attached

b. Minerals and Me! This activity enables students to find out about the range

of uses for rocks and minerals in everyday objects. i. Using the ‘Rocks and their Properties’ cards and images provided below,

students in groups of 2/3 have to match up the rock cards, with the images of its use.

ii. Once the students have matched them up, they should then find the relevant specimen on the gallery to identify what this rock/mineral

really looks like. 3. Swap the groups over, so they both have a chance to do both activities.

4. Share feedback and comments for the last few minutes in the gallery.

Equipment required:

Rocks and Mineral cards (print and cut out enough for your students) Earth Sciences explorer worksheet attached (Print out)

Pencil

Clipboard

Have you remembered to book your ‘Open Door, Explore’ Self Programmed activities with our Bookings Officer on 0161 275 2630? You can also request to use our lunch room for your group. Risk Assessments are available on the website. Also, please check for any suggested materials that you may need to bring with you on the day.

Earth Sciences Explorer

1. How old is the earth? i.e. when was it formed?

2. How do we know the age of the earth?

3. From the large model of the structure of the earth, describe the structure of the earth, including all the layers and what they contain?

4. Name the different natural phenomena that are caused by the movement of tectonic plates

5. What are the different kinds of plate boundaries and what do they lead to?

Fluorite

Can prevent and reduce tooth decay

Kaolinite

Easy to shape when wet

Strong and rigid when fired

Impermeable when fired

Thermal insulator

Fluorite

Non-stick

Impermeable

Strong

Does not rust

Conducts heat

Malachite(Copper)

Impermeable

Flexible

Can be easily moulded

Does not react easily with water

Clay (From chalk)

Easy to shape when wet

Strong and rigid when fired

Impermeable when fired

Pyrite (Nickel)

Can be combined with other elements such as cadmium or hydrogen to make an object with convert’s chemical energy into electrical energy.

This generates an electric current that can power an electronic device

Gypsum

Easy to shape when wet

Strong and rigid when set

Quick to harden

Quartz

Hard

Rigid

Impermeable

Transparent

Can be made into different shapes

Rocks and Properties Cards

Silver

Flexible

Does not rust

Quite rare

Stays shiny for a short time then goes dull as it reacts with oxygen in the air

Gold

Flexible

Does not rust

Rare and precious

Stays shiny for a long time

Hematite (iron) mixed with carbon or chromium

Known as Stainless Steel

Strong

Does not rust

Rigid

Hematite (iron) with hydrozincite (zinc) coating

Limonite – Strong, rigid, can be

easily moulded, reacts with oxygen to make iron oxide or rust

Zinc sulphide - Does not rust

Corundum (Aluminuim)

Light

Easily shaped

Impermeable to water

Does not rust

Copper

Very good conductor of electricity

Flexible

Stretchy (if you pull hard!)

Impermeable

Steel coated in cassiterite (tin)

Impermeable

Light

Does not rust

Compressible (Squashable)

Halite

Soft

Breaks up easily

Dissolves in water

Lowers the freezing point

Adds flavour

Clay (from chalk)

Shaped when wet

Strong when fired

Insulator

Muscovite mica and Silicon (from quartz)

Mica – does not conduct electricity, has a high melting point

Silicon – abundant, cheap, conducts electricity

Carbon rich fossil plant remains

Burns easily to release energy

Is often used to generate electricity

Was widely mined in the UK, but no longer is as much any more

Granite

Strong

Durable

Heat resistant

Bacteria resistant

Stain resistant

Colourful

Shiny when polished

Pumice

Abrasive

Rough

Easily available

Light

Marble

Pattern and colour can vary

Very attractive

Very hard

Can be sculpted

Slate

Waterproof (impermeable)

Can be split into thin layers

Hard

Limestone

Soft

Breaks up easily

Can be mixed with water and sand

Uses of Rocks and Minerals Images