Discover NC! McDowell County

North Carolina Mining Museum

Little Switzerland, NC (http://www.emeraldvillage.com/)

Provider: North Carolina Mining Museum

Resource summary

• Appropriate grades: 3–8
• Subjects: science (geology), social studies (North Carolina)
• Fees: There is an admission charge.

More from LEARN NC

• Minerals and math Students will develop ways to create self-devised rules for classifying minerals and relate this information to scientific ways of classifying minerals according to their characteristics. They will then compile this information into a chart and convert parts of the chart into a line or bar graph.
• Rock around the rock cycle Students will study the rock cycle to understand the relationship between the three types of rocks, sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous, and the conditions needed to transform one type of rock into another. This hopefully will be accomplished through visual learning with computer activities and the demonstration and through auditory learning with the discussion. The student can then apply the knowledge they learned through a story.

More on the web

• How sedimentary rocks are formed This Science NetLinks lesson briefly reviews the rock cycle in general and then focuses on sedimentary rocks. Students do a hands-on activity using mixed nuts to illustrate the layering of sedimentary rocks.
• Mineralogy 4 Kids Learn about mineral groups, the rock cycle, or Ask-a-Mineralogist your "rocky" question on the Mineralogical Society of America's site for kids.
• North Carolina Geological Survey Explore the geological maps of North Carolina, learn about the minerals that can be found there, and check out the questions that students are asking geologists.
• National Museum of Natural History Visit the museum online. Here you can take a virtual tour and explore exhibits full of gigantic dinosaurs, precious gems and minerals, and Hawaiian treasures...and a lot more! Find out about the research conducted by the museum and link to many of their in-depth natural history websites.

Nestled high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on a branch of Crabtree Creek, there is a community of Gem, Mineral, and Mining attractions known as Emerald Village. In this famous historical mining area 2 1/2 miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Little Switzerland, North Carolina, 45 different rocks, minerals, and gems have been found including Aquamarine, Beryl, Emerald, Garnet, Smoky quartz as well as Uranium and Fluorescent minerals.

When visiting this museum, students will see a historic mine and authentic mining equipment and displays that show the heritage of the mines and mining companies. Students can also pan for gems and see artisans cutting stones for jewelry.

For more information or to arrange a visit, call 828-ROK-MINE (765-6463) or 828-765-0000, or send email to mine@wnclink.com. Teachers and students on a field trip can get group rates.