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STEM Enhancement for Rocks and Minerals

Page | 1 Created by STEM-it Grant Members Quinn Donlon, Lorianne Donovan, Stacey Foraker and Dr. Frannie Skomurski

Rocks & Minerals STEM Enhancement 2012 from the STEM-It MSP Grant is licensed

under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Rocks and Minerals STEM Enhancement

Created by STEM IT Grant Members

Quinn Donlon, Lorianne Donovan, Stacey Foraker

(Vandalism at ______________ Elementary)

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/






Teacher Instructions

For each student group (Groups 2-4) Crime Data Table

Suspect Bios

Crime Lab Evidence Report #1



Final Conclusion Report

Minerals A-L and Q.

Completed mineral field guides

Mineral Identification Cards (optional) Lesson 14

For the Teacher Parent Letter

Vandalism Poster (Create using mineral Q or reddish brown tempera paint).

Tape ( to put up poster)

Scenario Page (See attached)

Minerals A-L, and Q. For information on Q see lesson 15.

Guilty suspect is Tommy Talc because of the mineral Hematite that is found on his shoe. The Native American Pottery clue from the Suspect Bio page is referenced in the Lesson 7 Hematite article, paragraph 2.

Hematite Helen is to be used as a decoy suspect.

Students should have narrowed suspects to Helen and Tommy. When Crime Lab Evidence Report #3 arrives it will be obvious that Tommy Talc is the guilty suspect.







1. Consider sending home parent letter prior to extension. 2. Prepare vandalism poster using butcher paper and a reddish

brown tempera paint stating that “____________ Elementary Stinks!!”.

3. Decide where to put the poster in your school so that students will see it at the beginning of the day. Tape poster to wall. You may want to ask the office to put information in the

bulletin to let the other teachers know that you are doing this as a science project.

4. Determine how the scenario will be delivered to the class. Suggestions for scenario page delivery: DARE Officer (If your building has one) Principal/Superintendent Custodian Colleague

Kit not required to do extension

Tape







1. Send parent letter home with students. 2. After scenario is delivered to class read to or with students. 3. Read the suspect Bios to or with students. 4. Hand out copies of crime data table to groups. (2-4) 5. Give students time to discuss what information might be helpful

from the suspect bio sheets and record that data onto the “other information” column on the crime data table.

6. Introduce “Crime Lab Evidence Report #1”. Give students time to discuss what information might be helpful from this page and record the data in the “Mineral on Shoes” column of the crime data table.

7. Introduce “Crime Lab Evidence Report #2”. Give students time to discuss what information might be helpful from this page and record the data in the “Mineral on Hands” column of the crime data table.

8. Crime Lab Evidence Report #3 arrives. This report will conclusively provide evidence that Tommy Talc is the guilty suspect.

9. Students discuss and predict who they believe is the guilty suspect based on the data. Students circle their hypothesis on the crime data table.

10. Students will consult their “mineral field guide” and/or “mineral identification cards” to search for evidence to prove/disprove their hypothesis.

11. Groups will prepare their “Final Conclusion Report” using all available data. - You may decide how students will present their conclusion using the two pieces of evidence that supports the students’ choice. They will also share whether or not their hypothesis was correct or incorrect. -You may decide how to tell the students who the guilty party is by: self, principal, DARE officer, etc…







Scenario

Vandalism at _______________________ Elementary

Crime:

Principal _____________________ arrived early this morning to open the

school. As he/she approached the front doors of __________________

Elementary he/she discovered a disturbing message about the school.

The message was written in a reddish-brown color. The words said,

“____________________ stinks!!”

Principal ______________________ was horrified by this dastardly deed.

He/she notified the police. When the police arrived to investigate they

took fingerprint samples from the graffiti, as well as a scraping from

the reddish-brown lettering.

Once the data was analyzed, 4 suspects that had been known to be

near the school on the date of the crime were interviewed. Each of

the 4 suspects had a type of mineral on both their shoes and hands. All

suspects had been spotted walking by the crime scene. Also, each of

the suspects has been angry with the school for one reason or

another. The principal heard that this class has been studying Rocks

and Minerals, and they need “Mineral Experts” to help solve the crime,

and determine which of the suspects should be disciplined.







Suspect Bio

Suspect #1 Tommy Talc

Background: Tommy Talc is a bus driver at _____________________

Elementary. He has had several issues with students not cleaning up

their messes on the bus. He has asked the principal several times to

talk to students about being more respectful on the bus. He is upset

because the principal told him to deal with it on his own. At the time

of questioning Tommy was found at his home painting Native

American pottery.



http://www.google.com/imgres?q=cartoon+face&hl=en&safe=active&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=aVyo-vXCXgVrYM:&imgrefurl=http://gridlineracing.com/ue-cartoon-faces-clip-art/&docid=akT8LHl_TYejkM&imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_09nS43Cw6zw/TDqT_6A1MLI/AAAAAAAAAwY/xFUuBwlDBE4/s1600/FEN_A_bit_surprised_face.jpg&w=500&h=500&ei=kQXoTsKfKZPKiAKyr-G_Bw&zoom=1





Suspect Bio

Suspect #2 Hematite Helen

Background: Hematite Helen is a substitute teacher for_________________

Elementary. She applied for a job at our school and was not hired.

Even though she still is a substitute for our school, she is upset that

she wasn’t hired and is thinking about working for another school. At

the time of questioning she was found in her garden trimming her

lavender bushes.



http://www.google.com/imgres?q=cartoon+face&hl=en&safe=active&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=L5HUdHj44LNirM:&imgrefurl=http://aeschlar.deviantart.com/art/Cartoon-Face-Sketch-158867355&docid=ft-x9faii1uz0M&imgurl=http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/088/a/a/Cartoon_Face_Sketch_by_Aeschlar.png&w=1024&h=768&ei=kQXoTsKfKZPKiAKyr-G_Bw&zoom=1





Suspect Bio

Suspect #3 Mario Muscovite

Background: Mario Muscovite has been teaching music

at _____________ Elementary for 20 years. This last year he was forced

to only teach part time, which means he makes less money and has

been forced to play his guitar on the street. He is heartbroken since

he loves teaching music to the children of our school. At the time of

questioning he was found near the river playing guitar for incoming

fishermen.



http://www.google.com/imgres?q=cartoon+face&hl=en&safe=active&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=sVtKpCdnami38M:&imgrefurl=http://pugnawarcraft.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-cartoon-face-of-man-with-glasses.html&docid=Vq_507E71J3L2M&imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U2gsM2wsj8k/S4pOOO6fOUI/AAAAAAAAAZA/6JVRUd2NnLc/s320/man-happy-cartoon-face.jpg&w=312&h=312&ei=kQXoTsKfKZPKiAKyr-G_Bw&zoom=1





Suspect Bio

Suspect #4 Gracie Graphite

Background: Gracie Graphite is the librarian at

_________________________ Elementary. She has worked at our school for

30 years and is fed up with students not returning books. When the

books are returned they are ripped, torn, and full of pencil marks

which she spends hours each night erasing and taping. She is tired of

working with ungrateful children and she is angry with the principal

who refuses to do anything about it. At the time of questioning she

was hiking near Mt. St. Helens which is still an active volcano.



http://www.google.com/imgres?q=old+female+cartoon+face&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=0A_RvfAiOT_JrM:&imgrefurl=http://blogs.psychcentral.com/unplugged/&docid=HEqWWPP090OPpM&imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P1vRVWkStuI/TJo3nv3u6JI/AAAAAAAAAoM/jTNrZwdqI1k/s1600/cartoon-clip-art-scolding-old-woman.JPG&w=360&h=400&ei=3AfoToOTMOXXiQLuj8mEBw&zoom=1





Names __________________________

Crime Data Table

Suspects Mineral on Hands Mineral on Shoes

Other Information

(Bios/Motives)

Tommy Talc

Hematite Helen

Mario Muscovite

Gracie Graphite

Who committed the crime? Circle the guilty suspect when data has been collected.



http://www.google.com/imgres?q=clip+art+boot&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=nn1TMNs6Rn5RCM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cksinfo.com/fashion/footwear/index.html&docid=PSJaNYw0ZBiOOM&imgurl=http://www.cksinfo.com/clipart/fashion/footwear/boot.png&w=298&h=285&ei=X5wPT7iMIoTbiAK76ZTrDQ&zoom=1





http://www.google.com/imgres?q=clip+art+hands&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=5IU1AZF7mfTYCM:&imgrefurl=http://www.clker.com/clipart-13649.html&docid=5tvuoj0KRRlxaM&imgurl=http://www.clker.com/cliparts/a/e/3/7/11970937891181548422johnny_automatic_left_hand_1.svg.hi.png&w=282&h=587&ei=nJcPT5n_BsaFiAKm3anYDQ&zoom=1






Suspects Mineral on Shoes

Tommy Talc

Feel/Texture: Rough

Smell: Rusty/Metallic

Color: Reddish Brown

Luster: Dull Hematite Helen

Feel/Texture: Gooey/Slimy

Smell: Floral

Color: Purple

Luster: Glassy

Mario Muscovite

Feel/Texture: Spiky/Sharp

Smell: Fishy

Color: Greenish Gray

Luster: Dull

Gracie Graphite

Feel/Texture: Smooth/Bumpy

Smell: Rotten Egg

Color: Yellow

Luster: Waxy







http://www.google.com/imgres?q=clip+art+boot&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=nn1TMNs6Rn5RCM:&imgrefurl=http://www.cksinfo.com/fashion/footwear/index.html&docid=PSJaNYw0ZBiOOM&imgurl=http://www.cksinfo.com/clipart/fashion/footwear/boot.png&w=298&h=285&ei=X5wPT7iMIoTbiAK76ZTrDQ&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=clip+art+shoes&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=rYG5fNNzThuIlM:&imgrefurl=http://clipart.m-y-d-s.com/footwears/dress_shoes/&docid=ZbTPKpzeQOR3pM&imgurl=http://clipart.m-y-d-s.com/footwears/dress_shoes/a.jpg&w=500&h=500&ei=w5sPT7a2BubZiALP0qXSDQ&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=clip+art+shoes&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=vkvDKZs_Jx3AQM:&imgrefurl=http://www.easyvectors.com/browse/other/black-shoe-clip-art&docid=PNFmyZ8b32IbYM&imgurl=http://www.easyvectors.com/assets/images/vectors/afbig/black-shoe-clip-art.jpg&w=425&h=398&ei=w5sPT7a2BubZiALP0qXSDQ&zoom=1

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=clip+art+shoes&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=KG2BoPLU0faL7M:&imgrefurl=http://antiqueimages.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-shoe-clip-art-image-of-1917-womens.html&docid=gGMTQpPApUGkoM&imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LGIRghwDwlA/S8STGQ10EyI/AAAAAAAAApo/_tngndQfOzo/s1600/1917shoe002-1.png&w=890&h=1090&ei=w5sPT7a2BubZiALP0qXSDQ&zoom=1






Suspects Mineral on Hands

Tommy Talc

Feel/Texture: Smooth, Soft and Slippery

Smell: Earthy

Color: Earthy and White

Luster: Dull

Hematite Helen

Feel/Texture: Rough and Gritty

Smell: Metallic and Rusty

Color: Grayish-Blue with Reddish-Brown

Luster: Metallic

Mario Muscovite

Feel/Texture: Glassy and Smooth

Smell: Earthy and Dirt-like

Color: Sparkly gold

Luster: Glassy

Gracie Graphite

Feel/Texture: Smooth and Slippery

Smell: Burnt Charcoal

Color: Shiny Gray

Luster: Metallic














Evidence Results: Results of the

analysis on the tape from the poster

show trace amounts of a waxy,

white powder with an earthy smell.

Who is the guilty suspect?







Final Conclusion Report Names _________________

I/We believe that ________________________ is the suspect who

committed the crime.

Two pieces of evidence that support our reasoning are:

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

My/Our hypothesis was (correct/incorrect) because the

evidence proved that _______________________was guilty

of committing the crime.



http://www.google.com/imgres?q=kid+detective+clip+art&hl=en&safe=active&rlz=1T4RNRN_enUS446US449&biw=1366&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=ZkGkA70V-TOHZM:&imgrefurl=http://hill.troy.k12.mi.us/staff/bnewingham/myweb3/happenings 2007-08.htm&docid=YLV1LqjElsEqnM&imgurl=http://hill.troy.k12.mi.us/staff/bnewingham/myweb3/Clipart/detective1.gif&w=750&h=449&ei=rj4rT5avBoWgiQL2ibGqCg&zoom=1





Dear Parents,

For the last 9 weeks your child has been studying Rocks and Minerals. They have

been learning about minerals’ distinctive properties that may be identified by

testing. Students have also studied the properties of rocks and minerals which

determines their use.

In the coming weeks students will be involved in an investigation/design challenge

that will allow them to use the information they’ve learned.

The investigation/design challenge is a “fictional” scenario about vandalism at our

school. The purpose of this is to engage the students so that they can use their

knowledge of minerals to help solve the “crime.”

Please don’t be alarmed if your child comes home talking about a “crime” at the

school. It is all part of the Rocks and Minerals unit and intentionally designed to

get them excited. Also, please don’t discuss this with your child prior to the

experience as this will hinder the authenticity of the lesson. I encourage you to

“play along!”

Thank you for your assistance and support. If you have any questions, please feel

free to contact me at the school.

Sincerely,



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