Scioly.org

Tailsfan101 wrote:Isn't this a Lab Event?

There is no part of Rocks & Minerals that features a Lab Event. All that happens is that you get a rock/mineral and you have to answer questions.

I think Tailsfan meant that it's a station event. In that case, yes.

shaistings wrote:I am not sure how to type in these forums but what do these numbers entail again after the rock or mineral on the list? I don't remember this being the way the list was set up in the past.

The 2018 list says that the 'specimen numbers' are the same as in their Rock and Mineral Kit (to be sold at Wards science). We haven't used an official kit, so going by the footnote only.

KimmHersh wrote:

shaistings wrote:I am not sure how to type in these forums but what do these numbers entail again after the rock or mineral on the list? I don't remember this being the way the list was set up in the past.

The 2018 list says that the 'specimen numbers' are the same as in their Rock and Mineral Kit (to be sold at Wards science). We haven't used an official kit, so going by the footnote only.

The numbers are specimen numbers and the numbering of the minerals in alphabetical order (with orthoclase being "f" for feldspar and the quartz being after pyrite).

What specific categories do you need to add in your binder under each type of rocks and minerals? Would it be categories like common uses, chemical composition, type of group etc.?

queenofspades13 wrote:What specific categories do you need to add in your binder under each type of rocks and minerals? Would it be categories like common uses, chemical composition, type of group etc.?

The rocks and minerals have already been categorized by group, and by proxy, their chemical composition. I don't find that categorizing my common use is too helpful. Normally, I (and most other competitors I know) create a set of tables, organized by important things (I have two, one organized alphabetically and one by hardness, which allows me to find any mineral pretty quickly once I have identified it).

whythelongface wrote:

queenofspades13 wrote:What specific categories do you need to add in your binder under each type of rocks and minerals? Would it be categories like common uses, chemical composition, type of group etc.?

The rocks and minerals have already been categorized by group, and by proxy, their chemical composition. I don't find that categorizing my common use is too helpful. Normally, I (and most other competitors I know) create a set of tables, organized by important things (I have two, one organized alphabetically and one by hardness, which allows me to find any mineral pretty quickly once I have identified it).

I think by categories, he/she is referring to types of information for each rock/mineral on the list.

Unome wrote:

whythelongface wrote:

queenofspades13 wrote:What specific categories do you need to add in your binder under each type of rocks and minerals? Would it be categories like common uses, chemical composition, type of group etc.?

The rocks and minerals have already been categorized by group, and by proxy, their chemical composition. I don't find that categorizing my common use is too helpful. Normally, I (and most other competitors I know) create a set of tables, organized by important things (I have two, one organized alphabetically and one by hardness, which allows me to find any mineral pretty quickly once I have identified it).

I think by categories, he/she is referring to types of information for each rock/mineral on the list.

Yeah, like what types of information would you include under each rock/mineral. I already understand what I need to do from asking a couple of friends but thank you both for clarifying my question .

queenofspades13 wrote: Yeah, like what types of information would you include under each rock/mineral. I already understand what I need to do from asking a couple of friends but thank you both for clarifying my question .

For my tables, I include relative hardness, streak, specific gravity, cleavage, fracture, luster, crystal system, chemical formula, and twinning habits. Separate from the table is a list of more specific information about each mineral, arranged alphabetically. In the future, I'm considering adding absolute hardness as well.

Can anyone recommend a good rocks and minerals kit for kids to practice with? Wards Science has the official Science Olympiad one, but the samples sound small (5/8")?? I also found one from AMEP?

Thanks!