The Smithsonian Museum of Natural
History Presents
The Lewis
Collection
By Tara VanPatten
Mill Run Elementary
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.
Mrs. Lewis retired last month, and has
donated her collection to the Smithsonian
Museum of Natural History.
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!
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!
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.
Click on a specimen to investigate.
Once you have collected data from all of
the specimens, click here.
This specimen is a solid material with particles
arranged in a crystal pattern. This must mean
that this specimen is a…
Rock
Mineral
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.
Incorrect.
Please read carefully
about rocks and
minerals then try
again.
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.
This specimen is a solid material with particles
arranged in a crystal pattern. This must mean
that this specimen is a…
Rock
Mineral
Incorrect.
Please read carefully
about rocks and
minerals then try
again.
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.
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.
This specimen looks like it is made up of a
mixture of materials. This must mean that this
specimen is a…
Rock
Mineral
Incorrect.
Please read carefully
about rocks and
minerals then try
again.
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.
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.
This specimen looks like it is made up of a
mixture of materials. This must mean that this
specimen is a…
Rock
Mineral
Incorrect.
Please read carefully
about rocks and
minerals then try
again.
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.
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.
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.
What do you want to do?
Read
postcard
Observe
the
specimen
Conduct
streak test
Examine another specimen
Conduct
hardness test
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.
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Observe the specimen.
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.
Helpful Hints
Color words:
-light
-black/blackish
-tan
-gray
-pink
-dark
-brown/brownish
-white
-blue
-green
Luster words:
-dull
-waxy
-metallic
-pearly
-glassy
Conduct the streak test.
What color streak did the specimen leave?
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
Talc
2
3
Calcite
4
5
Apatite
6
7
Click on a mineral to
see if it will scratch
your specimen.
Quartz
8
9
Corundum
10
What is the Mohs number of your specimen?
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The talc did not
scratch your
specimen.
Talc
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The calcite did
scratch your
specimen.
2
3
Calcite
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The apatite did
scratch your
specimen.
2
3
4
5
Apatite
6
7
8
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The quartz did
scratch your
specimen.
2
3
4
5
6
7
Quartz
8
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The corundum
did scratch your
specimen.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Corundum
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Mohs Hardness Scale
1
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.
2
3
4
Fluorite
5
Apatite
6
Feldspar
7
8
9
10
What do you want to do?
Read
postcard
Observe
the
specimen
Conduct
streak test
Examine another specimen
Conduct
hardness test
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.
Observe the specimen.
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.
Helpful Hints
Color words:
-light
-black/blackish
-tan
-gray
-pink
-dark
-brown/brownish
-white
-blue
-green
Luster words:
-dull
-waxy
-metallic
-pearly
-glassy
Conduct the streak test.
What color streak did the specimen leave?
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
2
Gypsum
3
4
Fluorite
5
6
Feldspar
Click on a mineral to
see if it will scratch
your specimen.
7
8
Topaz
9
10
Diamond
What is the Mohs number of your specimen?
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The gypsum did
not scratch your
specimen.
2
Gypsum
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The fluorite did
not scratch your
specimen.
2
3
4
Fluorite
5
6
7
8
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The feldspar
did not scratch
your specimen.
2
3
4
5
6
Feldspar
7
8
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The topaz did
scratch your
specimen.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Topaz
9
10
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Hardness Test
1
The diamond did
scratch your
specimen.
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Diamond
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Mohs Hardness Scale
1
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.
2
3
4
Fluorite
5
Apatite
6
Feldspar
7
8
9
10
What do you want to do?
Read
postcard
Observe
the
specimen
Examine another specimen
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!
Which type of rock is Specimen B?
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Incorrect.
Please read
carefully about the
different types of
rocks and try again.
Types of Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed when melted rock such as
magma or lava cools and hardens. The word igneous
comes from the Latin word ignis, which means “fire.”
Sedimentary rocks are formed over a long time from
layers of sediment. Weathering and erosion drop
sediment to the bottoms of streams, rivers, and lakes
which over time, turn into sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic rocks can be made of any type of rock.
They form when other rocks are put under high heat
and great pressure. Some metamorphic rocks form
when mountains are built up. Meta means “change” and
morphic means “form.”
Correct!
This specimen is sedimentary indeed!
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Observe the specimen.
What color is this
specimen?
What is the texture
of this specimen?
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Helpful Hints
Color words:
-light
-black/blackish
-tan
-gray
-pink
-dark
-brown/brownish
-white
-blue
-green
Texture words:
-fine-grained
-smooth
-glassy
-porous (holes)
-large-grained
-rough
-silky
What do you want to do?
Read
postcard
Observe
the
specimen
Examine another specimen
I found this specimen
while hiking in Chile. I
went on a tour of Cerro
Verde, a well known
volcano. This is only one
of three volcanoes in the
Cerro Verde National
Park. The tour guide
told me that locals often
make jewelry out of this
specimen.
Which type of rock is Specimen D?
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Incorrect.
Please read
carefully about the
different types of
rocks and try again.
Types of Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed when melted rock such as
magma or lava cools and hardens. The word igneous
comes from the Latin word ignis, which means “fire.”
Sedimentary rocks are formed over a long time from
layers of sediment. Weathering and erosion drop
sediment to the bottoms of streams, rivers, and lakes
which over time, turn into sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic rocks can be made of any type of rock.
They form when other rocks are put under high heat
and great pressure. Some metamorphic rocks form
when mountains are built up. Meta means “change” and
morphic means “form.”
Correct!
This specimen is an igneous rock indeed!
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Observe the specimen.
What color is this
specimen?
What is the texture
of this specimen?
Don’t forget to record your observations
on your data collection sheet.
Helpful Hints
Color words:
-light
-black/blackish
-tan
-gray
-pink
-dark
-brown/brownish
-white
-blue
-green
Texture words:
-fine-grained
-smooth
-glassy
-porous (holes)
-large-grained
-rough
-silky
Now that you have finished collecting all
of your data, it is time to compare your
observations with the rock and mineral
databases in order to identify the
specimens.
Oops! I need to
keep collecting
data.
I have all my data
and am ready to
continue.
You must compare the observations you
made on your data collection sheet with
both databases. Write down the real
name of each specimen on your sheet.
Rock
Mineral
Database
Database
I think I need
to go back and
collect more
data!
Once you have the real name
of each specimen, click here
to present your information
to Mrs. Donahue.
Rock Database
Name
Color
Texture
Type of Rock
Basalt
Dark gray or black
Fine-grained
Igneous
Conglomerate
Multi-colored
Chunky, round,
smooth
Sedimentary
Gneiss
Bands of gray and
white
Large-grained
Metamorphic
Obsidian
Black, dark red or
brown
Smooth, glassy
Igneous
Pumice
Light yellow, tan, gray,
or white
Very rough, full of
holes
Igneous
Sandstone
Light yellow, tan, gray,
or white
Fine-grained, rough
Sedimentary
Shale
Gray, tan, or brown
Fine-grained, smooth
Sedimentary
Name
Mineral Database
Color
Luster
Streak
Hardness
Location
Calcite
White
Dull
White
3
USA, Germany,
Brazil, Mexico,
England, India,
Iceland
Diamond
Yellow, brown,
various colors
Waxy
White
10
South Africa,
India, Brazil,
Russia, Australia
Silver, gray
Metallic to
dull
Gray
3
USA, Germany,
Peru, Mexico,
Zambia, England
Graphite
Black, silver
Metallic to
dull
Black or
Gray
2
USA, Russia,
Mexico,
Greenland, India
Gypsum
White, gray
Pearly
White
2
Mexico, USA,
Italy
Magnetite
Black
Metallic to
dull
6
South Africa,
Germany, Russia,
USA
Quartz
Clear, white,
various colors
7
Brazil, Uruguay,
Mexico, Russia,
USA
Galena
Glassy
Black
White
Thank you so much for all
your hard work. I am
excited to find out if you
were able to correctly
identify each specimen.
Specimen A is really…
calcite
galena
diamond
graphite
magnetite
gypsum
quartz
Specimen B is really…
basalt
gneiss
conglomerate
obsidian
sandstone
shale
pumice
Specimen C is really…
calcite
galena
diamond
graphite
magnetite
gypsum
quartz
Incorrect.
Please take another
look at the databases
and try again.
Specimen D is really…
basalt
gneiss
conglomerate
obsidian
sandstone
shale
pumice
Correct!
Now try to identify
Specimen B.
Correct!
Now try to identify
Specimen C.
Correct!
Now try to identify
Specimen D.
Congratulations! You
have correctly
identified all of the
specimens! I would
like to thank you for
all your hard work by
presenting you with
this Jr. Geologist
Award!
Click on the award to print!