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THE PACIFIC MINERALOGIST 5

PRACTICAL MINERALOGY IN THE SCHOOLS;
AND MINERALS OF MINT CANYON
By BRITTON A. NICOL*

Interest in mineralogy is growing broad area of student interest, bu1
in the schools even more rapidly it is hard to do much about it. Teach-
possibly than it is as an avocational ers often find their teaching load
or hobby interest in laymci:n groups. both in and out of school so heavy,
In both instances it is a "natural," the schoolwide functions, commit-
since it is related to such a wide tees, institutes, library, visual aids,
variety of other worthwhile interests. course of study, and materials col-
In school it is related to scienc~. lecting activities so numerous, that
geology, botany, chemist:·y, c:.c.-:d to they are at a loss to find time or
a lesser degree geometry through even energy to plan trips, held club
crystallography. It provides subject meetings, and do most of the w-o:rk
material for art, flower arrangement, of preparing information for pressn-
and photography, and a universal tation to groups.
interest in itself for clubs, trips, soc- Students themselves are even bur-
ials, and school displays. The "min- dened sufficiently by their school
eral of the week" idea is never fail- activities that they would rather re-
ing as a source of interest in class- lax and talk and play with their
room, library, or general school friends during noon period and after
showcase display. Mineral explora- school rather than attend club meet-
tion, with its travel, physical exer- ings, especially if they are called
cise, outdoor actLvity, and hand- upon to provide part of the program.
work activities is an ideal release Students do however exhibit enthusi-
for tensions of indoor, mental, or astic interest in field trips, and like
routine physical occupations. One to examine, identify, and learn about
need not find an ore deposit to be processes by which minerals are
enriched by mineralogy, neither formed, if that activity is as far re-
should anyone be ashamed to ad- moved from any appearance of regu-
mit that he would recognize a certain lar classroom procedure as posible.
ore if he saw it. We have probably Trips, colections, both individual
only scratched the surface in scien- and school, experiments, assaying,
tific mineral exploration in this and talks by the teacher or students
country. The know ledge of mineral who are respected for their knowl-
and natural lore by both school edge of minerals seem to be the pre-
children and adults should be more ferred functions. A few key students
extensive because it does provide a are sufficiently interested to carry
basis for such a wide variety of on with display arranging, and
lasting interests and appreciations maintain interest in assaying pro-
which make for richer living. We ceses performed by a qualified
should know more about the world chemistry student on N.Y.A. project
we live on and the mineralogical, assignment, etc., while the bulk of
chemical, and geological oroce sses the members meet less frequently to
that have and are going on in the plan and to go on trips.
earth itself. Bus transportation is now provided
Schools are awakening to this new free by the board of education for
~'Dr. Britton A. Nicol, now at Lincoln High School, r,eceived his doctor's degree in education
at the University of Southern California upon the completion of a five year study in mathe-
matical statistics, in the dev,eiopment of formulae designed to simplify the work of resear,ch
workers in this fi-eld.