Research Project for Mineralogy

Wendy Panero

Ohio State University

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Initial Publication Date: July 16, 2009 | Reviewed: October 21, 2012 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

The assignment allows for open ended exploration of a topic of interest in geosciences in which one or more mineral's chemistry and/or crystal structure is significant to understanding that geoscience problem. Students collect data throughout the quarter, and present their projects in a department-wide poster session

Crystallography, Crystal Chemistry, Mineral Analysis, X-ray ...(more) | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Topics

Crystallography, Crystal Chemistry, Mineral Analysis, X-ray Techniques, Optical Mineralogy, Physical Properties, Phase Equilibria/Thermodynamics, Environmental Mineralogy, Biomineralogy, Mineralogy, Environmental Geology, Geology

Grade Level

College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

Undergraduate mineralogy

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Developed throughout the project.

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a culminating project.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Synthesis of concepts and skills presented in mineralogy.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Analysis and synthesis of data and ideas.
Critical evaluation of models and ideas.

Other skills goals for this activity

Group work
Poster and oral presentation
Operation of analytical equipment.

Description of the activity/assignment

Students choose a project on an area of the geosciences in which one or more mineral's chemistry and/or crystal structure is significant to understanding that geoscience problem. They then study that mineral in detail in both hand sample and on the SEM, XRF, XRD, and/or in thin section. Students may provide your own sample or use a sample from the student collection. For practicality sake, the sample must be available and not so valuable or rare that we cannot let you use pieces of it for the project. Additionally, the mineral studied in detail must be significantly different than those they will be tested on for the final exam.