Educator Resources: Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals

Part of Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals.

specimens on display in the hall of gems and minerals
Plan your class field trip to the halls with these free resources.
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Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals Educator's Guide

Get an advance look at the halls' major themes and what your class will encounter. This 20-page guide for K-12 educators includes a Map of the Halls, Essential Questions (important background content), Teaching in the Halls (self-guided explorations), a Come Prepared Checklist, Correlation to Standards, and a Glossary.

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Activities and Materials

Grades K–5

Students observe a natural phenomenon—that minerals have different colors, shapes, and sizes—to investigate mineral diversity and classification.

Grades 6–8

Students observe a natural phenomenon—that minerals have different colors, shapes, and sizes—to investigate mineral-forming environments.

  • Activity Sequence for Educators: pdf
  • Map of the Halls: pdf
  • Worksheets: Answer Key & Notes to Educator: pdf
  • Worksheets: Blank Version for Students: pdf | gdoc
  • Photo Slideshow: pptx | gslides
  • Crystal Shape Reference Sheet: pdf

Grades 9–12

EARTH SCIENCE
Students observe a natural phenomenon—that minerals can have different properties, including colors, shapes, and sizes—to investigate the role of water in mineral formation.

  • Activity Sequence for Educators: pdf
  • Worksheets: Answer Key & Notes to Educator: pdf
  • Worksheets: Blank Version for Students: pdf | gdoc
  • Photo Slideshow: pptx | gslides

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Students observe a natural phenomenon—that minerals can have unique physical, optical, and chemical properties—to investigate how mineral properties determine suitability for use by humans.

  • Activity Sequence for Educators: pdf
  • Worksheets: Answer Key & Notes to Educator: pdf
  • Worksheets: Blank Version for Students: pdf | gdoc
  • Photo Slideshow: pptx | gslides

More Resources

Use these online resources to further explore the themes in these halls.

Video How and Where Do Minerals Form? Find out how five different environments produce Earth's amazing minerals! Game The Amazing Mundo Mundo Shamundo! Can you help Mandy study for her geology test? Hands-on Grow Rock Candy Take a sweet look at the crystal patterns and compositions of minerals. And then create and enjoy your own tasty treat! Reading All About Jade Jade has been used by people around the world for thousands of years—first to make tools, later to create precious works of art.... Reading Making Rocks Some volcanoes slowly ooze magma while others explode with immense power. Yet all volcanic eruptions begin in the magma chamber.... Reading What's This? Gold What golden award is this? Take a guess! Video Profile: George Harlow George Harlow, Curator, Division of Physical Sciences