Museum Robbery

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Museum Robbery

• By Grant Demaree Daniel Zhao

2
Introduction

• The Smithsonians crystal collection has been
  stolen! The museum needs someone to identify the
  old crystals so they can buy new crystals before
  they open next week. Are you up to the challenge?

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Task

• You have been selected to determine the
  characteristics of the old crystals. After
  talking with several employees and visitors,
  youve come up clues about the crystals. You will
  need to make a poster to present your findings to
  the museums curator. Youd better get out your
  magnifying glass, you have some detective work to
  do! Good luck!

4
Process

• 1. First, youll be assigned to a group of three
  students.
• 2. Next, use the resources to obtain a clear
  understanding of the material provided.
• 3. Read the clues provided.
• 4. Determine what each clue tells you about the
  stolen minerals.
• 5. With your teammates, identify the stolen
  minerals.
• 6. Create a poster to present information to the
  museum officials.

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Resources

• Goal 2d Use physical characteristics of minerals
  to identify and classify minerals hardness,
  luster, cleavage, crystal formation, color, and
  streak color.
• Click here for help
• http//www.cobweb.net/bug2/rock4.htmCOLOR
• http//www.ironorchid.com/minerals/userpage.htm
• http//geology.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?si
  tehttp3A2F2Fwww.rockhounds.com2Frockshop2Fmi
  neral_id2F

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Resources continued

• Goal 2c Describe crystal formation in minerals.
• For information on this subject, go to
• http//www.earthchildpendants.co.uk/crystal-types.
  html
• http//www.thesoulelement.com/crystalformations.ht
  m
• http//www.brainpop.com/science/earth/crystals/ind
  ex.weml?tried_cookietrue

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Resources continued

• Goal 2b Interpret relative cooling time based on
  crystal size.
• Use this website to answer the following
  questions.
• http//www.chemsoc.org/networks/learnnet/jesei/coo
  ling/home.htm

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Mineral 1 Clues

• 1. When the custodian bumped this mineral with
  his knife, it didnt scratch.
• 2. A visitor remembers that a mineral was bright
  blue.
• 3. The museum curator remembered that the mineral
  reflected light easily.
• -4. This mineral has no cleavage
• Answer________________

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Mineral 2 Clues

• 1. A visitor remembered that the mineral was
  clear.
• 2. A worker dropped a topaz on the mineral and it
  didnt scratch
• 3. This Mineral has 3 cleavage.
• Answer __________

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Mineral 3 Clues

• 1. The mineral fell off its stand and scratched
  the granite floor.
• 2. This mineral was found in Pennsylvania.
• 3. The custodian remembers that this mineral was
  translucent.
• 4. One visitor took a picture of the mineral.
• Answer ______________

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Mineral 4 Clues

• A little boy touched the mineral and pieces
  flaked off.
• A visitor remembered that this mineral was brown
  and gray.
• Answer _____________

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Answers

• 1. Sapphire
• 2. Diamond
• 3. Quartz
• 4. Mica

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• Congratulations!!!

• You have successfully identified the stolen
  minerals! Now, create a poster to present your
  information to the museum officials.

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Poster Rubric