The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Presents The Lewis
Collection By Tara VanPatten Mill Run Elementary
Slide 3
Mrs. Lewis, a world traveler, loves to collect rocks and
minerals from the places she visits. In order to remember where
each specimen came from, she glued each one on a postcard from
where it was found.
Slide 4
Mrs. Lewis retired last month, and has donated her collection
to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Slide 5
Mrs. Donahue, one of the museums curators, has been asked to
identify each specimen with its proper name. Her boss has also
asked her to have the entire collection ready for display for the
presidents visit next week! X
Slide 6
There are so many specimens to identify, Ill never get this all
done by myself! I think Ill call some smart fifth graders for
help!
Slide 7
In order to identify the specimens, you must first collect
data. Click on the smiley face and print the data collection sheet
to help keep you organized. Now that youre ready, lets take a look
at the specimens.
Slide 8
Click on a specimen to investigate. Once you have collected
data from all of the specimens, click here.
Slide 9
This specimen is a solid material with particles arranged in a
crystal pattern. This must mean that this specimen is a
RockMineral
Slide 10
Minerals are always solid materials with particles arranged in
a repeating pattern. This pattern is called a crystal. Minerals
only form in nature. They are not made in laboratories. Rocks are
always made up of one or more minerals. All rocks can be classified
into three groups based on how they are formed. The three type of
rocks are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.
Some rocks can be made in laboratories. Rocks vs. Minerals
Slide 11
Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then
try again.
Slide 12
Correct! Now it is time to investigate this mineral. Make sure
you record all of your information for Specimen A on your data
collection sheet.
Slide 13
This specimen is a solid material with particles arranged in a
crystal pattern. This must mean that this specimen is a
RockMineral
Slide 14
Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then
try again.
Slide 15
Minerals are always solid materials with particles arranged in
a repeating pattern. This pattern is called a crystal. Minerals
only form in nature. They are not made in laboratories. Rocks are
always made up of one or more minerals. All rocks can be classified
into three groups based on how they are formed. The three type of
rocks are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.
Some rocks can be made in laboratories. Rocks vs. Minerals
Slide 16
Correct! Now it is time to investigate this mineral. Make sure
you record all of your information for Specimen C on your data
collection sheet.
Slide 17
This specimen looks like it is made up of a mixture of
materials. This must mean that this specimen is a RockMineral
Slide 18
Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then
try again.
Slide 19
Minerals are always solid materials with particles arranged in
a repeating pattern. This pattern is called a crystal. Minerals
only form in nature. They are not made in laboratories. Rocks are
always made up of one or more minerals. All rocks can be classified
into three groups based on how they are formed. The three type of
rocks are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.
Some rocks can be made in laboratories. Rocks vs. Minerals
Slide 20
Correct! Now it is time to investigate this rock. Make sure you
record all of your information for Specimen B on your data
collection sheet.
Slide 21
RockMineral This specimen looks like it is made up of a mixture
of materials. This must mean that this specimen is a
Slide 22
Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then
try again.
Slide 23
Minerals are always solid materials with particles arranged in
a repeating pattern. This pattern is called a crystal. Minerals
only form in nature. They are not made in laboratories. Rocks are
always made up of one or more minerals. All rocks can be classified
into three groups based on how they are formed. The three type of
rocks are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.
Some rocks can be made in laboratories. Rocks vs. Minerals
Slide 24
Correct! Now it is time to investigate this rock. Make sure you
record all of your information for Specimen D on your data
collection sheet.
Slide 25
Minerals are always solid materials with particles arranged in
a repeating pattern. This pattern is called a crystal. Minerals
only form in nature. They are not made in laboratories. Rocks are
always made up of one or more minerals. All rocks can be classified
into three groups based on how they are formed. The three type of
rocks are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.
Some rocks can be made in laboratories. Rocks vs. Minerals
Slide 26
What do you want to do? Read postcard Observe the specimen
Conduct streak test Conduct hardness test Examine another
specimen
Slide 27
I bought this specimen on vacation in Mexico. I was looking for
a souvenir for my brother at an outdoor market when I spotted this
piece. The seller said that there are many mines in Mexico where
this specimen can be found. Dont forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Slide 28
Observe the specimen. What is the color of this specimen? Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.
What is the luster of this specimen?
Conduct the streak test. Dont forget to record your
observations on your data collection sheet. What color streak did
the specimen leave?
Slide 31
Hardness Test Click on a mineral to see if it will scratch your
specimen. Dont forget to record your observations on your data
collection sheet. 1Talc 2 3Calcite 4 5Apatite 6 7Quartz 8 9Corundum
10 What is the Mohs number of your specimen?
Slide 32
Hardness Test The talc did not scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.
1Talc 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Slide 33
Hardness Test The calcite did scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1
2 3Calcite 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Slide 34
Hardness Test The apatite did scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1
2 3 4 5Apatite 6 7 8 9 10
Slide 35
Hardness Test The quartz did scratch your specimen. Dont forget
to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1 2 3 4
5 6 7Quartz 8 9 10
Slide 36
Hardness Test The corundum did scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Corundum 10
Slide 37
Mohs Hardness Scale 1 2 3 4Fluorite 5Apatite 6Feldspar 7 8 9 10
The Mohs Scale charts the relative hardness of minerals. Minerals
will scratch any minerals with a lower number. For example, apatite
(5) will scratch fluorite (4). Feldspar (6) will scratch apatite
(5), fluorite (4), and any other mineral with a number less than
6.
Slide 38
What do you want to do? Read postcard Observe the specimen
Conduct streak test Conduct hardness test Examine another
specimen
Slide 39
I came across this specimen while visiting my Uncle Alexander
in Russia. I was playing hopscotch with some of the local children,
and they gave me this specimen as a gift. I was told that it can
come in many different colors. In fact, Im pretty sure Ive seen
this before back in the United States. Dont forget to record your
observations on your data collection sheet.
Slide 40
Observe the specimen. What is the color of this specimen? Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.
What is the luster of this specimen?
Conduct the streak test. Dont forget to record your
observations on your data collection sheet. What color streak did
the specimen leave?
Slide 43
Hardness Test Click on a mineral to see if it will scratch your
specimen. Dont forget to record your observations on your data
collection sheet. 1 2Gypsum 3 4Fluorite 5 6Feldspar 7 8Topaz 9
10Diamond What is the Mohs number of your specimen?
Slide 44
Hardness Test The gypsum did not scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1
2Gypsum 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Slide 45
Hardness Test The fluorite did not scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1
2 3 4Fluorite 5 6 7 8 9 10
Slide 46
Hardness Test The feldspar did not scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1
2 3 4 5 6Feldspar 7 8 9 10
Slide 47
Hardness Test The topaz did scratch your specimen. Dont forget
to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8Topaz 9 10
Slide 48
Hardness Test The diamond did scratch your specimen. Dont
forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet. 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Diamond
Slide 49
Mohs Hardness Scale 1 2 3 4Fluorite 5Apatite 6Feldspar 7 8 9 10
The Mohs Scale charts the relative hardness of minerals. Minerals
will scratch any minerals with a lower number. For example, apatite
(5) will scratch fluorite (4). Feldspar (6) will scratch apatite
(5), fluorite (4), and any other mineral with a number less than
6.
Slide 50
What do you want to do? Read postcard Observe the specimen
Examine another specimen
Slide 51
This was actually one of the first pieces of my collection. I
found it while tubing down the Colorado River. There were tons of
specimens like this scattered around the river banks. The color and
texture sure do remind me of the beach!
IgneousMetamorphicSedimentary Which type of rock is Specimen
B?
Slide 52
Incorrect. Please read carefully about the different types of
rocks and try again.
Slide 53
Igneous rocks are formed when melted rock such as magma or lava
cools and hardens. The word igneous comes from the Latin word
ignis, which means fire. Sedimentary rocks are formed over a long
time from layers of sediment. Weathering and erosion drop sediment
to the bottoms of streams, rivers, and lakes which over time, turn
into sedimentary rocks. Metamorphic rocks can be made of any type
of rock. They form when other rocks are put under high heat and
great pressure. Some metamorphic rocks form when mountains are
built up. Meta means change and morphic means form. Types of
Rocks
Slide 54
Correct! This specimen is sedimentary indeed! Dont forget to
record your observations on your data collection sheet.
Slide 55
Observe the specimen. What color is this specimen? Dont forget
to record your observations on your data collection sheet. What is
the texture of this specimen?
What do you want to do? Read postcard Observe the specimen
Examine another specimen
Slide 58
I found this specimen while hiking in Chile. I went on a tour
of Cerro Verde, a well known volcano. This is only one of three
volcanoes in the Cerro Verde National Park. The tour guide told me
that locals often make jewelry out of this specimen.
IgneousMetamorphicSedimentary Which type of rock is Specimen
D?
Slide 59
Incorrect. Please read carefully about the different types of
rocks and try again.
Slide 60
Igneous rocks are formed when melted rock such as magma or lava
cools and hardens. The word igneous comes from the Latin word
ignis, which means fire. Sedimentary rocks are formed over a long
time from layers of sediment. Weathering and erosion drop sediment
to the bottoms of streams, rivers, and lakes which over time, turn
into sedimentary rocks. Metamorphic rocks can be made of any type
of rock. They form when other rocks are put under high heat and
great pressure. Some metamorphic rocks form when mountains are
built up. Meta means change and morphic means form. Types of
Rocks
Slide 61
Correct! This specimen is an igneous rock indeed! Dont forget
to record your observations on your data collection sheet.
Slide 62
Observe the specimen. What color is this specimen? Dont forget
to record your observations on your data collection sheet. What is
the texture of this specimen?
Now that you have finished collecting all of your data, it is
time to compare your observations with the rock and mineral
databases in order to identify the specimens. Oops! I need to keep
collecting data. I have all my data and am ready to continue.
Slide 65
You must compare the observations you made on your data
collection sheet with both databases. Write down the real name of
each specimen on your sheet. Once you have the real name of each
specimen, click here to present your information to Mrs. Donahue.
Mineral Database Rock Database I think I need to go back and
collect more data!
Slide 66
NameColorTextureType of Rock Basalt Dark gray or
blackFine-grainedIgneous Conglomerate Multi-colored Chunky, round,
smooth Sedimentary Gneiss Bands of gray and white
Large-grainedMetamorphic Obsidian Black, dark red or brown Smooth,
glassyIgneous Pumice Light yellow, tan, gray, or white Very rough,
full of holes Igneous Sandstone Light yellow, tan, gray, or white
Fine-grained, roughSedimentary Shale Gray, tan, or
brownFine-grained, smoothSedimentary Rock Database
Slide 67
NameColorLusterStreakHardnessLocation CalciteWhiteDullWhite3
USA, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, England, India, Iceland Diamond
Yellow, brown, various colors WaxyWhite10 South Africa, India,
Brazil, Russia, Australia GalenaSilver, gray Metallic to dull Gray3
USA, Germany, Peru, Mexico, Zambia, England GraphiteBlack, silver
Metallic to dull Black or Gray 2 USA, Russia, Mexico, Greenland,
India GypsumWhite, grayPearlyWhite2 Mexico, USA, Italy
MagnetiteBlack Metallic to dull Black6 South Africa, Germany,
Russia, USA Quartz Clear, white, various colors GlassyWhite7
Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Russia, USA Mineral Database
Slide 68
Thank you so much for all your hard work. I am excited to find
out if you were able to correctly identify each specimen.
Slide 69
Specimen A is really calcite diamond galenagraphitegypsum
quartzmagnetite
Slide 70
Specimen B is really basalt conglomerate gneissobsidianpumice
shalesandstone
Slide 71
Specimen C is really calcite diamond galenagraphitegypsum
quartzmagnetite
Slide 72
Incorrect. Please take another look at the databases and try
again.
Slide 73
Specimen D is really basalt conglomerate gneissobsidianpumice
shalesandstone
Slide 74
Now try to identify Specimen B. Correct!
Slide 75
Now try to identify Specimen C. Correct!
Slide 76
Now try to identify Specimen D. Correct!
Slide 77
Congratulations! You have correctly identified all of the
specimens! I would like to thank you for all your hard work by
presenting you with this Jr. Geologist Award! Click on the award to
print!