Students conduct a mineral exploration which simulates real-life economic, societal and issue-oriented problems. The activities are designed to introduce and use topographic maps and learn about rock types, erosion, and river dynamics. This activity is based on the understanding that as water works along the earth's surface and through the ground; it picks up small amounts of the minerals found in the rocks and sediments.
Certain minerals ionize, then travel along in the moving water and later react chemically with the surface of river sediments. The closer the section of river is to a mineral deposit, the greater the detachable amount will be on the river sediments. Since it can be impractical to take a class out to the field to obtain samples, simulated sample river sediments are provided in the kit along with detailed topographic maps of a river system in a mountainious region. The necessary testing solutions and apparatus are also provided. Material for 30 students.
