1. Minerals in Our Daily Lives Jack Groppo, groppo@caer.uky.edugroppo@caer.uky.edu University of Kentucky, Center for Applied Energy Research 2540 Research Park Dr., Lexington, KY 40511 859-257-0254 4 th grade science experiment

2. Overview Experiment Objectives Materials Procedure Conclusions General Observations and Helpful Hints Resources

3. Experiment Objective To demonstrate how minerals are used in our daily lives.

4. Materials Needed Various mineral specimens Common household products Sheet of paper listing all of the minerals used with a blank space next to each mineral listed.

5. Procedure 1. Place an appropriate sticker on each of the mineral specimens to identify each mineral with a letter (e.g. A. B. C, etc). 2. Place and appropriate sticker on each of the products to identify each with an appropriate number (e.g. 1,2,3, etc.). 3. Randomly arrange the minerals and products on a table. 4. Provide each student with a sheet of paper listing the minerals. 5. Have students match the minerals with each of the products they are used to produce.

6. Conclusions The purpose of this demonstration is to illustrate that minerals are essential to our daily lives. Just about everything that we use, from computers to energy to common household products was derived from minerals. Recycling products and not being wasteful are ways we can reduce the amount of minerals that we need to mine.

7. General Observations and Helpful Hints Use mineral specimens that have interesting properties such as color, crystals, softness, etc. Use common products that the students recognize. Describe each mineral and allow the students to guess which product is used to make it.

8. Suggestions for Minerals and Products MineralProduct QuartzMason jar BauxiteSoda can GraphitePencil SpodumeneWatch battery MalachiteCopper pipe or wire FeldsparDinner plate SphaleriteZinc nails or U.S. penny TalcBaby powder MicaCosmetic make-up GoldComputer components StibniteFireworks GalenaFishing sinkers CoalElectricity (light bulb)

9. Resources for Materials Mineral Information Institute (www.mii.org/commonminerals.php)www.mii.org/commonminerals.php This is an excellent source of information with pictures and description of minerals and their uses. Ward's Scientific (www.wardsci.com)www.wardsci.com State Geological Surveys Ward's Scientific (www.wardsci.com)www.wardsci.com Local rock and mineral trade shows