The Big Question for this Daytrek:

EXPLORING ISSUES

Discovering how precious minerals were formed requires thinking like a geologist not a gourmet chef. Geology is the study of the earth’s structure, what it is made of and the processes that have changed it over time. Follow the path of this Day Trek to search out the amazing story of a time before man left footprints anywhere on earth. Start by visiting the link below.

www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=119&l=&c3=

MINING FOR INFORMATION

Each website below contains information about one of Wyoming’s minerals. See if you can discover information about how each of the four minerals was formed. But first...

Reading Tip: Don't panic over unfamiliar terms or words that you meet at these websites. Use context clues from the words and concepts you do understand to help make sense of those you don't. And keep your reading goal in sight and don't get sidetracked by information that doesn't lead you to finding out how the minerlas were formed.

Now, visit the websites as assigned by your teacher so that you can add to your individual or class “geology” knowledge bank.

Trona: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Rock_Springs/minerals/trona.html

Coal: www.ket.org/Trips/Coal/AGSMM/agsmmhow.html

Uranium: periodic.lanl.gov/elements/92.html

Bentonite: www.bentofix.com/naue/abe/index.html

Need a simpler look at how bentonite was formed? Follow this route.

Go to: http://www.wma-minelife.com/recaward/recframe.htm

On the left side of this page, scroll to and select "Game and Fish Awards." In the box that appears, scroll down to "1999 Wyo Ben" for a quick explanation of the "recipe" for bentonite.

PROCESSING INFORMATION

According to the directions provided by your teacher, you have searched all four sites or you have shared information from each site by working together with classmates. Now, according to the directions provided by your teacher, make a chart showing how the formation processes for each of the four minerals are alike and how those processes are different.

Moving on ...

If we exhaust Earth’s supply of minerals, is there a way to make more? Check out the following website to find out about the latest efforts in developing “manmade” versions of precious minerals. What would you predict the future of these synthetic minerals might be?

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