Rock Science Kit
Item #: | 018674 |
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Grades: | 3-AD |
These rock sets include the basics for each category. Specimens range in size from ¾" to 1" and each set includes a 1" plastic magnifier and guide. The Hardness and Mineral kits also include a streak plate and nail. Each guide includes a key to specimens and an introductory statement about the contents of that particular kit. For the hardness kit an explanation is given along with the MOHS hardness scale; the mineral and rock kit guides give a brief explanation of their formation.
The Hardness Scale kit includes Talc, Gypsum, Calcite, Fluorite, Apatite, Orthoclase (Feldspar), Quartz, Topaz, and Corundum. Sorry - no diamond, which is the hardest naturally occurring material.
The Mineral kit includes Magnetic Pyrite, Blue Aragonite, Realgar,Calcite, Sodalite, Beryl, Sphalerite, Tourmaline, Siderite, Rhodochrosite, Wollastonite, Rock Salt, Crystal Point, Fuchsite, Olivine.
The Rock kit has 5 each of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks: Igneous Obsidian, Granite, Basalt, Scoria, Rhyolite; Sedimentary Shale, Calcareous Tufa, Sandstone, Conglomerate, Limestone; Metamorphic Slate, Marble, Quartzite, Gneiss, Shist.
If you want small, affordable kits to cover the basics, these are a great option. Specimens are large enough to see detail, and they come in a sturdy cardboard box with divided plastic tray. Storage isn't an issue in these compact kits. ~ Donna
We have several rock-hounds here - as evidenced by the boxes of rocks that haunt the dark recesses under beds and in closets, when they're not strewn all over the floor! Of course, our "good" rock collections don't suffer the same fate. These have been used countless times in our homeschool, especially in our study of Earth Science. Kept in the schoolroom, the children are free to use them to identify other rocks or just to peruse for sheer delight. I guess you can tell that I am rather fond of rocks myself. The combinations and varieties that God has embedded in the Earth are astounding and beautiful. We had to "dig" a little for the information to stock these, but it was totally worth the effort!