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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Vulcan Materials Company: Joseph Andres Gutierrez Geology - Earth Science Museum and Education Center

See the museum exhibits on rocks and minerals as well as a rock quarry with large category equipment and an overlook. The center also offers wildlife habitat preservation and environmental education at a number of its quarries across the state.

Preview your trip on the web: Vulcan Materials Company: Joseph Andres Gutierrez Geology - Earth Science Museum and Education Center

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  • Lesson plan: Rocks really rock! A lesson on the classification of rocks This lesson will help students classify various rocks according to specified criteria. It will also help students classify a given rock using selected mineral identification tests. Students will use a graphic organizer to display their findings.
  • Rocks and Minerals Information on rocks and minerals including the physical characteristics and a picture of each mineral. From the Franklin Institute.
  • Mineralogy 4 Kids Learn about mineral groups, the rock cycle, or Ask-a-Mineralogist your "rocky" question on the Mineralogical Society of America's site for kids.
  • North Carolina Geological Survey Explore the geological maps of North Carolina, learn about the minerals that can be found there, and check out the questions that students are asking geologists.
  • Lesson plan: Minerals and math Students will develop ways to create self-devised rules for classifying minerals and relate this information to scientific ways of classifying minerals according to their characteristics. They will then compile this information into a chart and convert parts of the chart into a line or bar graph.

Related pages

  • Mount Jefferson State Natural Area: Discover the plants and animals as well as rocks and minerals that can be found at this state park in Ashe County.
  • Colburn Earth Science Museum: The best rock and mineral specimens from the Burnham Standish Colburn collection are housed in the Colburn Earth Science Museum. Students will enjoy the programs that are centered around this collection of fossils, gems, and North Carolina minerals.
  • Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve: A visit to the Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve gives insight into the uses of the land from prehistoric times to the end of the twentieth century. Students can explore trails and learn about the plants and animals that are found there as well as the importance of protecting nature and our natural resources.

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The mission of the Joseph Andres Gutierrez Geology - Earth Science Museum and Education Center is to "educate students, teachers, and the community about our industry, the mining process, and our environmental stewardship." The tour of the center begins with an overlook of quarry. The mining process is described while viewing the daily operations of the facility. Participants tour the core building to learn about geology and how exploration for new mineral deposits is conducted.

Visit the mineral museum and education center building to see unique mineral specimens from around the world. Participate in the hands-on section to learn about physical properties of minerals and rocks. At the conclusion of the tour, each person receives a souvenir rock sample. Contact Vulcan Materials Company at 336-744-2015 for more information. Please see this brochure about the Museum and Education Center.

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