Click on the links below for useful information on the minerals we use everyday:

Mineral Photographs
Beautiful photos of over 150 minerals

Common Minerals and Their Uses
Information about 80 minerals

Importance of Mining and Minerals
Find out why you must have someone who develops the resources you use every day.

State Mineral Information
Find out what minerals are in your state, where they are and how they are used

Elements for life
Periodic chart plus descriptions of elements.
See Teacher Packet 4 - Creating A Universe for The Ultimate Periodic Poster and 17 pages of activities.

The Role of Elements in Life Processes
More than 30 elements are essential to life processes.

Videos of the Elements (Univ. of Nottingham )

“Copper: More Than Metal” (Download PDF, 2.5MB)16-page highlighting the importance of copper. Written for grades 5-12, it provides a general overview of the mining process from exploration to post-closure activities. Includes hands-on activities.

“Molybdenum: Helping to Build a Strong Future” (Download PDF, 8MB) 16-page unit highlighting the importance of molybdenum. It provides a general overview of the mining process from exploration to post-closure activities and the many ways molybdenum is used.

Fun Learning Games!

Periodic Table of Elements Word Games

Element Word Search One - (Download PDF, 49KB)

Element Word Search Two - (Download PDF, 48KB)

Element Word Search Three - (Download PDF, 47KB)

Element Word Search Four - (Download PDF, 47KB)

Element Word Search Five - (Download PDF, 46KB)

Element Name and Symbol Match - (Download PDF, 27KB)

Atomic Number and Symbol Match - (Download PDF, 14KB)