Earth Science gallery walk puts NYS resources in the spotlight

Warwick Valley High School students in Barbara Glover's 10th grade Earth Science classes recently completed a unit exploring the world of minerals, specifically digging into New York State's own mineral profile!

Through hands-on investigation and research, the students examined the physical properties of minerals and learned about the critical roles they play in modern life, both locally and globally. The unit had students using scientific tools and the Mohs Scale of Hardness to identify various specimens, and also expanded beyond identification to explore where certain minerals turn up in everyday life.

_{See a gallery from the unit below this story!}

The students were particularly interested to learn that a single smartphone relies on a vast array of minerals! They learned that screens are created from silica (quartz) sand combined with ceramic materials and indium-tin-oxide for transparent circuitry. The electronics behind the screens rely on copper, sourced from chalcopyrite, which is the most abundant metal in these devices. It is used alongside silver-based inks and silicon from quartz for integrated circuits. Finally, they learned that the lithium-ion batteries depend on minerals like spodumene and graphite, while rare-earth elements (REE) are essential for magnets in parts like speakers and microphones.

While the unit looked at how minerals contribute to make life simpler, it also considered worldwide mining practices and their environmental impacts. The unit addressed the balance between mineral extraction and environmental preservation. The students examined various mining methods, including surface and underground mining practices, and compared the environmental footprints of each. They had conversations around topics like resource trade-offs and land use. For example, looking at trade-offs means considering the usefulness of technology against the potential that mining can lead to water and air pollution if not managed correctly, and how the transportation of materials for manufacturing contributes to the greenhouse gases associated with climate change. When it comes to land use, students discussed how mining can lead to habitat destruction and erosion, emphasizing the importance of land reclamation and modernized mining techniques that aim to minimize the ecological impact.

The culminating event of the unit challenged students to visualize New York’s natural resources and create unique infographics focused on specific minerals found within New York State. Rather than traditional testing, Ms. Glover opted to have the students share their knowledge with one another as part of a NYS Resources Gallery Walk!

For the walk, each student chose a different mineral — including Warwickite, a unique iron borate mineral first discovered in Warwick, NY, in 1838 — and designed a visual display that highlighted its chemical composition, physical properties, economic importance to the region, and other details. The hallway outside Ms. Glover's room was transformed into a museum-style exhibit where students moved from poster to poster, learning about the state's geological diversity directly from their peers' creative designs. By shifting the teaching role to the students through their infographic presentations, the activity also met New York State Science Learning Standards, by emphasizing evidence-based communication and the real-world application of geological data.

The NYS Resources Gallery Walk was not only the primary showcase for students to show off their research, but also a great opportunity for peer teaching. There is plenty of evidence that when students instruct peers, it can improve academic performance, boost retention, and enhance critical thinking by encouraging active engagement. It also fosters better communication, social skills, and confidence.

Needless to say, after studying the topic of minerals through such a wide-angle lens (from scientific properties, to how they are mined and used, to the related environmental implications) the WVHS students' work showed that they know how to get to the "core" of a topic! 

PHOTO GALLERY