GOLD | American Museum of Natural History

Gold in the
Discovery Room

Visit the Discovery Room to find out how the Asante people of Ghana, Africa make brass weights that are used as a measurement of gold. Originally simple in design, these weights evolved into such interesting and expressive shapes that they became treasured heirlooms, passed from father to son. The weights convey meaning, often in the form of proverbs, and were sometimes sent to friends or enemies as messages.

Learn more about the Discovery Room >>

Online Resources

FOR YOUR VISIT TO THE MUSEUM

GOLD Educator's Guide

This Guide connects the GOLD exhibition to the classroom (before, during, and after your visit), explains key scientific and cultural concepts, and correlates to standards.

Go to HTML version

Download PDF (2.7 Mb)

Be an Exhibition Explorer in GOLD

Students can use this worksheet to conduct independent explorations of this exhibition by recording their observations of specimens and artifacts.

Download PDF (46kb)

Explore Precious Metals in Other Museum Halls

Middle and high school students can tour the halls independently following the highlighted stops, while the Explore More section is geared towards elementary students

Halls of Minerals and Gems (PDF 2.7 Mb)

Hall of South American Peoples (PDF 2.7 Mb)

EXPLORE MORE IN THE CLASSROOM

Use these free online resources before or after your visit to the GOLD exhibition to extend your students' investigation of the science and cultural influence of precious metals

Programs

Gold Educators' Evening
Wed. December 6, 2006
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

This free open house includes an introduction to the exhibition by curators and educators, plus teaching demonstrations, and catered reception. MORE >>

FOR SCHOOL GROUPS
Cultural Programs
Living in America: The Allure of Gold
January 2007

This ninety-minute program for visiting school groups will focus on cultural connections to gold.
MORE >>