Webinar: Exploring Minerals

Archived Webinar

The Zoom webinar with Geologist Gabriela Farfan aired April 9, 2020, as part of the Smithsonian Science How series. Watch a recording in the player above.

Description

From the bones in our bodies to expansive coral reefs, “biominerals” grown by living organisms are critical to life as we know it. Join Smithsonian Geologist Gabriela Farfan to learn about the minerals around us, what makes "biominerals" so special, and what factors impact their growth.

This webinar supports learning standards in Earth Science and Physical Science.

Teaching Resources

• Smithsonian Learning Lab Collection: Exploring Biominerals
• Article - Gems and Minerals: Beauties and Building Blocks
• GeoGallery: Photos of Smithsonian's Gems, Minerals, and More

Next Generation Science Standards

Grades 3-5

Physical Science

• 5-PS1-1. Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen. 

Grades 6-8

Physical Science

• MS-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures. 

Earth Science

• MS-ESS3-1 Earth and Human Activity - Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.