Naming Igneous Rocks
Summary
This project is intended to introduce students to the IUGS rock classification scheme.
Samples come from the Wards Collections (which many schools have). Students are provided with both hand specimens and thin sections. They also get a brief rock description - so this project can be done even if their mineral ID skills are not honed.
Samples come from the Wards Collections (which many schools have). Students are provided with both hand specimens and thin sections. They also get a brief rock description - so this project can be done even if their mineral ID skills are not honed.
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Context
Audience
This exercise is used in a sophomore or junior level required course in petrology.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Students should have an understanding of basic petrology and classification/identification techniques as well as how to use a microscope.
How the activity is situated in the course
This activity is a stand-alone exercise.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
This project is intended to introduce students to the IUGS rock classification scheme.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
This activity involves identifying and classifying rocks.
Other skills goals for this activity
This activity may involve group work and operation of analytical equipment (a microscope).
Description of the activity/assignment
This project is intended to introduce students to the IUGS rock classification scheme.
Samples come from the Wards Collections (which many schools have). Students are provided with both hand specimens and thin sections. They also get a brief rock description - so this project can be done even if their mineral ID skills are not honed.
This is a lab activity - it requires a microscope. It is best done as a group project.
Samples come from the Wards Collections (which many schools have). Students are provided with both hand specimens and thin sections. They also get a brief rock description - so this project can be done even if their mineral ID skills are not honed.
This is a lab activity - it requires a microscope. It is best done as a group project.
Determining whether students have met the goals
Students have met the goals of this assignment if they are able to complete the exercise accurately and completely.
More information about assessment tools and techniques.Teaching materials and tips
- Activity Description/Assignment (Acrobat (PDF) 10kB Sep29 03)
- Solution Set (Acrobat (PDF) 11kB Sep29 03)
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