This is a 15 page tutorial and problem set designed to get students familiar with T-X diagrams, their implications, and uses. Students start by reading but, after 10-15 minutes, the room becomes noisy as they work their way through the questions at the end. Often there are "Eureka" moments as they all of a sudden grasp some fundamental principles. It is also interesting to hear them try to explain these insights to others.

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This multidimensional project involves several aspects:
1. students learn how to use TWQ to calculate a phase diagram
2. students learn how to use Excel to normalize rock compositions
2. students learn how to use Theriak-Domino to calculate a pseudosection
3. students compare the results from the two programs and evaluate their differences
4. students interpret the results from the two programs
5. if used in conjunction with another exercise "Making Good Graphics with Theriak-Domino," students also learn how to make good looking diagrams from computer output

So, students learn lots of skills at the same time. But, an overarching strength of this project is that all the different skill integrate together to produce a final product.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

This is a problem set that can be assigned as homework or done in class. I do both.

The problem set involves mineral equilibria in a 3-component system. Students examine the equilibria and mineral assemblages, and apply the phase rule. They also learn how to derive and balance mineral reactions, and how to use a systematic approach when doing a complex problem.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

This is a problem set that can be assigned as homework or done in class. I do both.
The problem set involves mineral equilibria in a 3-component system. Students examine the equilibria and mineral assemblages, and apply the phase rule. They also learn how to derive and balance mineral reactions, and how to use a systematic approach when doing a complex problem.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

In this exercise, students use SHAPE, a computer graphics program, to draw the external morphology (faces) of crystals. SHAPE will draw any single crystal and most twins and epitaxial intergrowths. Students make several crystal drawings by entering the crystal axis lengths and angles, the symbol for the crystal class, and one face of each form. The crystal can be rotated and scaled. Students print out their drawings and label every face with the correct Miller Indices.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

This is a seven part module that deals with water development. The goal is to get students thinking about water development in terms of its appropriateness, and to get them to think about competing value systems. It is ultimately about ethics and philosophy,not about practicality or utility, but students -- especially undergraduate students -- sometimes have trouble figuring that out. If you you elect to use all seven modules, this is a multi-week project. But, individual parts will stand alone if need be.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

This is an x-ray diffraction analysis of six sand samples and comparison with hand specimens. Students look at each of the six samples under the binocular microscope and note such useful properties as number of minerals, cleavage/fracture, color, shape, grain size, roundness, and degree of sorting. Then they grind up small amounts of each sample and mount them on glass slides for X-ray. Students write all sample descriptions and X-ray analysis results in their lab notebook. Then they identify the minerals in each sample, determine where they are from, and write a report summarizing all results.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)