The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Presents The Lewis Collection

1. The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Presents The Lewis Collection By Tara VanPatten Mill Run Elementary

2. 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.

3. Mrs. Lewis retired last month, and has donated her collection to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

4. X Mrs. Donahue, one of the museum’s 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 president’s visit next week!

5. There are so many specimens to identify, I’ll never get this all done by myself! I think I’ll call some smart fifth graders for help!

6. 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 you’re ready, let’s take a look at the specimens.

7. Click on a specimen to investigate. A B C D Once you have collected data from all of the specimens, click here.

8. A This specimen is a solid material with particles arranged in a crystal pattern. This must mean that this specimen is a… Rock Mineral

9. Rocks vs. Minerals 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.

10. Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then try again.

11. A 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.

12. C This specimen is a solid material with particles arranged in a crystal pattern. This must mean that this specimen is a… Rock Mineral

13. Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then try again.

14. Rocks vs. Minerals 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.

15. C 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.

16. B This specimen looks like it is made up of a mixture of materials. This must mean that this specimen is a… Rock Mineral

17. Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then try again.

18. Rocks vs. Minerals 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.

19. B 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.

20. D This specimen looks like it is made up of a mixture of materials. This must mean that this specimen is a… Rock Mineral

21. Incorrect. Please read carefully about rocks and minerals then try again.

22. Rocks vs. Minerals 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.

23. D 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.

24. Rocks vs. Minerals 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.

25. What do you want to do? A Observe the specimen Read postcard Conduct streak test Conduct hardness test ? Examine another specimen

26. 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. A Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

27. Observe the specimen. A What is the color of this specimen? What is the luster of this specimen? Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

28. Helpful Hints Color words: -light -dark -black/blackish -brown/brownish -tan -white -gray -blue -pink -green Luster words: -dull -pearly -waxy -glassy -metallic

29. Conduct the streak test. A What color streak did the specimen leave? Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

30. Hardness Test A Click on a mineral to see if it will scratch your specimen. What is the Mohs number of your specimen? Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

31. Hardness Test A The talc did not scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

32. Hardness Test A The calcite did scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

33. Hardness Test A The apatite did scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

34. Hardness Test A The quartz did scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

35. Hardness Test A The corundum did scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

36. Mohs Hardness Scale 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.

37. What do you want to do? C Observe the specimen Read postcard Conduct streak test Conduct hardness test ? Examine another specimen

38. C 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, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this before back in the United States. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

39. Observe the specimen. C What is the color of this specimen? What is the luster of this specimen? Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

40. Helpful Hints Color words: -light -dark -black/blackish -brown/brownish -tan -white -gray -blue -pink -green Luster words: -dull -pearly -waxy -glassy -metallic

41. Conduct the streak test. C What color streak did the specimen leave? Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

42. Hardness Test C Click on a mineral to see if it will scratch your specimen. What is the Mohs number of your specimen? Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

43. Hardness Test C The gypsum did not scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

44. Hardness Test C The fluorite did not scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

45. Hardness Test C The feldspar did not scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

46. Hardness Test C The topaz did scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

47. Hardness Test C The diamond did scratch your specimen. Don’t forget to record your observations on your data collection sheet.

48. Mohs Hardness Scale 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.

49. What do you want to do? B Observe the specimen Read postcard ? Examine another specimen

50. 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! B Which type of rock is Specimen B? Igneous Metamorphic Sedimentary