Nature Net News
December 2004
Rocks and Minerals
"Even
the rocks, which seem to lie dumb as they swelter in the sun along the
silent shore in solemn grandeur thrill with memories of past events...."
Chief
Seattle
|
Dear Readers, What better time to study rocks and minerals than December? The soft burnished coat of a well-worn agate or the interior facets and fire of a quartz crystal can emit a sense of the earth’s inner warmth and energy. When the season’s winds whip around you and the ground is dusted with snow, give thanks for the solid earth underneath and contemplate the wonders (and warmth) of how rocks were formed. Find some time over the holiday break to create your own crystals or step back in time at the Geology Museum. You’ll soon discover that Madison “rocks”! Kathe
and Betsy |
Wisconsin's official state rock is Red Granite? It is called an intrusive igneous rock because it forms from melted rock which cools slowly deep inside the Earth. Red Granite was designated a state rock on March 9, 1971. It was chosen because of its abundance, uniqueness, economic value, and historical significance!
What to do this month:
Make a list of things in your house
that are made from minerals.
Learn about fossils commonly found in Wisconsin.
Check out family events at area Nature Net sites!
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
"Rock Hunting"
Rocks come in all shapes and sizes – many of which can easily get lost
or find their way into the nooks and crannies of unwanted places.
Before hitting the trail, you may want to stock up on various size
plastic baggies (with zip locks), as well as empty yogurt and cottage
cheese containers to store your child’s valuable “finds”.
Sometimes a silly song will solidify the learning process.
Try this, to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”:
Rocks, rocks, rocks are cool;
Find some in the shade!
* Igneous (push
your hands together and push up, like a volcano burst)
* Sedimentary (put
your hands together, next to your face, & tilt your head like
you’re settling down for sleep)
* Metamorphic (strike
a strong-man pose since these rocks are formed under pressure)
Wow!
This is how they’re made.
Instant
Outdoor Expert:
Rocks are classified by how
they are formed: Igneous rocks are formed from hot, molten materials;
Sedimentary
rocks are created from settling materials; and Metamorphic rocks are
created from other rocks that under go change with heat and
pressure. You can find out more at Idaho's Public Television's Dialogue
4 Kids
Suggested Reading:
"Everybody Needs a
Rock" by Byrd Baylor & Peter Parnall
"Geology Crafts For Kids: 50 Nifty Projects to Explore the Marvels of
Planet Earth" by Alan Anderson, Gwen Diehn & Terry Krautwurs
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
UW
Geology Museum
With
a dazzling collection of minerals, a walk-through model of a limestone
cave – complete with stalactites, stalagmites, drips, and echoes - and a
nine-foot-tall mastodon skeleton, the UW Geology Museum is the place to
explore Wisconsin’s geological history!
You can discover meteorites, a 1,300-pound copper nugget, an
amethyst geode, and a 33-foot-long duckbill dinosaur skeleton among the
nearly 1,000 specimens on display.
Encounter the Wisconsin State fossil, find out what the State
Capital Rotunda is made of, and trace fossilized clues of plants and
marine life to imagine the shallow, tropical ocean that once covered the
land we now walk on!
The UW Geology Museum is located at 1215 West Dayton Street and is open Monday
through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
Growing
Crystals
Did you know you can grow crystals right in your own house? A crystal
is formed when a mineral (like salt) solidifies out of a liquid
mixture. Crystals' atoms are arranged in a regular repeating
pattern. That's what makes them smooth with sharp corners. Many different
minerals can grow into crystals.
You can grow salt crystals by mixing 3/4 cup warm water and 1/2 cup salt
(not all of the salt will dissolve). Now, pour the solution into a
glass jar. Tie a string to the middle of a pencil and with the pencil
laying across the top of the jar, hang the string so it dips into the
solution. Crystals grow differently in a hot place than they do in a
cool place. You can pick where you want your crystals to grow or you
can try both! Leave the solution undisturbed for several
hours. Then, check to see what's happening. Make a drawing and
note the time, temperature and location. Check in on your crystals
each day! (You can try this same experiment with 1/4 cup alum and 1 cup
hot water.)
(Nature Craft idea from: "Geology Crafts For Kids: 50 Nifty Projects to Explore the Marvels of Planet Earth" by Alan Anderson, Gwen Diehn & Terry Krautwurst)
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