Introduction to Mineral Crystals
The purpose of this Lab-Aids® kit is to introduce the Crystal Systems found in minerals. Because this can be a difficult concept, four of the most common systems are singled out for study. Students will be able to construct these forms, study the geometric forms of the faces of these four crystal systems and correlate these forms to identify systems in some common minerals. Almost all minerals are crystalline in structure because their atoms are arranged in an orderly pattern. Even the smallest fragment will show this pattern with the use of x-rays. Generally, minerals fall into one of six crystal systems. Many of these systems have other polyhedral forms. An example may be the cubic or isometric system with forms such as cubic, octahedral and dodecahedral.
Details at a Glance
- 1 Day | 1 ~50 minute class period
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 15 groups of 2 students
- All materials are non-consumable
Scientific Concepts
• Introduce crystal forms of minerals
• Build four basic crystal models
• Relate models to minerals that take these forms
• Study number and shape of crystal faces
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Full downloadable Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Downloadable Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis questions
- All materials necessary to carry out the investigation
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 15 Hexagonal crystal models
- 15 Tetragonal crystal models
- 15 Cubic crystal models
- 15 Orthorhombic crystal models
- 30 Student Worksheets and Guides
- 1 Teachers Guide