Module drafted by Diana Doepken Rischling, Michael Pavelich, and Patricia Smith, the Colorado (South) team.

Aereszko, L. S. (1987). Rock candy in a cellophane bag. Journal of Chemical Education, 64, 804.

Baer, C. D. (1990). The growth of large single crystals. Journal of Chemical Education, 67(5), 410-412.

    General instructions and discussion for easy growing of crystals. Tables of suggested chemicals and of crystal systems.

Bartlett, D., and Aguila, E. (1987). Teaching the concepts of metallurgy through the use of postage stamps. Journal of Chemical Education, 64, 526-528.

Booth, M., and Lamb, W. (1983, October). Crystal growing [Experimenter’s notebook].  ChemMatters, 1(3), 12. 

    Detailed recipe for making Rock Candy.

Davenport, D. (1990). Burning diamonds and squeezing peanuts [Back burner].  ChemMatters, (8)2, 14-15. 

    A historical perspective on diamond synthesis.

Davenport, D. (1983, October). Brooklyn bridge, the structure of metals, and footprints in the sand [Back burner]. ChemMatters, 1(3), 14-15. 

    A fascinating discussion of atomic packing in crystals and its consequences.  This issue is filled with crystal articles.

Finkbeiner, A. (1984). Starborn: The origin of elements. ChemMatters, 2(3), 6-7. 

    A nice review of cosmology, tracing the nuclear reactions to convert hydrogen, eventually, into all of the elements. 

Holden, A., and Singer, P. (1960). Crystals and crystal growing. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.

Holtzman, D. (1987, October). Superconductivity. ChemMatters, 5(3), 18-21. 

    An introductory historical and theoretical discussion of superconductivity.

Hostettler, J. D. (1985). Geochemistry for chemists. Journal of Chemical Education, 62, 823-831.

Kilday, C. (1987, October). Super-student conductors. ChemMatters, 5(3), 22-23. 

    Report of and recipe for high school laboratory synthesis of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7  superconductor.

Lamb, W. (1984, April). Liquid crystal displays. ChemMatters, 2(2), 10-11. 

    A discussion of the design of LCD’s and the molecule that makes them "tick."

Leopold, A. (1966). Sand County almanac. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.

Loeffler, B. M., and Burns, R. G. (1976, November-December). Shedding light on the color of gems and minerals. American Scientist, 64, 636-647. 

    A discussion to how the absorption of light gives minerals their distinctive hues.

Marshall, E. (1990, October). GE’s cool diamonds prompt warm words. Science, (250), 25-26.

Meadows, R. (1988, April). Fossil molecules. ChemMatters, 6(2), 4-7. 

    The article details the use of radioimmunoassay to compare fossil bone collagen in order to make evolutionary links and authenticate fossil remains.

Noguchi, T. T. (1985, December). The wrong knife, mystery matters. ChemMatters, 3(3), 14. 

    A brief account of how a medical examiner prepares a cast of a knife wound to recreate the weapon.

Phillips, D. B. (1988). A rapidly growing silicate crystal. Journal of Chemical Education, 65, 453–454.

Reese, K. M. (1990, October 22). Radar used to seek bodies. Chemical and Engineering News, 68, 68. 

    Ground Probing Radar can be used to map underground rock strata and find buried bodies.

Robson, D. (1983, December). Liquid crystals. ChemMatters, 1(4), 8-11. 

    A general review of classifications, theory and applications of liquid crystals, especially Kevlar polymer.

Seib, S. L. (1985). Crystal growth in gels. Journal of Chemical Education, 62, 81-82.

Sharbaugh, A. H., III, and Sharbaugh, A. H., Jr. (1989). Crystal growth in silica gel, an experimental study of the Liesengang phenomena. Journal of Chemical Education, 66, 589–594.

Sinkankas, J. (1964). Mineralogy (currently in 12th printing). New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., Inc.

Tanis, D. (1984, February). Underground sculpture. ChemMatters, 2(1), 10-11. 

    The chemistry and mechanism of stalactite formation is outlined.

Viola, V. E. (1990). Formation of the chemical elements and the evolution of our universe. Journal of Chemical Education, 67, 723–730.

Walker, L., and Lee, P. J. (1990). The rocky road to chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education, 67, 325–326.

Yamana, S. (1987). Cubic close packed structure model. Journal of Chemical Education, 64, 1040.

Zaug, H. (1990). Growing diamonds. ChemMatters, (8)2, 10-13.

    Discusses the structure of diamond, the history of its synthesis and details of new techniques for low pressure growth.

Some periodicals of interest for rockhounds and earth science teachers (suggested by Leonard Himes):

Lapidary Journal. Devon Office Center, Suite 201, 60 Chestnut Avenue, Devon, PA 19333-1312. 

    General interest and hobbyist articles on jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils, and collecting localities. Calendar of mineral and gem shows (monthly).

Gems and gemology. 1660 Stewart Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404.

    Discussion of state-of-the-art gemological techniques, new gemstones, and gem locality information. Written for the practicing gemologist. Many good semi-technical                   articles (quarterly).

Earth. 21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187. 

    General interest articles, written for the public, on structural and historical geology, oceanography, and meteorology as well as fossils, rocks, and minerals (monthly).

Colored stone. Devon Office Center, Suite 201, 60 Chestnut Avenue, Devon, PA 19333-1312. 

    Discusses new gemstones and identification problems, business trends, and reports. Some background articles on gemstone minerals and mining. Written for                  commercial jewelers (bimonthly).

The mineralogical record. P.O. Box 35565, Tucson, AZ 85740. 

    Mineralogy of worldwide localities, news of mineral collectors and museums, show reports, columns, and commentary. Written for advanced level collectors and                  mineralogists (bimonthly).

Rocks & minerals. 1319 Eighteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-1802. 

    Mineralogy, paleontology, and geology oriented article and news information of interest to collectors. Includes columns and calendar of events. Education is a central                  theme of this publication (bimonthly).

Needless to say, there are plenty of introductory texts on mineralogy and geology, all of which would be helpful to teachers. The magazines listed above also list and review books that are (often) less technical. There are many field guides (Audubon, Peterson, etc.) that are available in any mall bookstore for teachers who wish to enrich their basic knowledge.