Superhero science: Six Marvel-ous Minerals
Middle School/High School
Since Superman made his comic book debut in 1938, superheroes have inhabited the imaginations of school-aged children around the world. Great for them, not always so great for the teachers trying to hold their attention.
It can be a Hulk-sized challenge to get kids whose minds are occupied with the latest happenings in the Marvel universe to think about earth science. Well, Ward’s World has a way to transform you into a teaching hero with something that lets them think about both at the same time – Infinity Stones.
Infinity stones – a primer
If you know what Infinity Stones are, kudos, you’re finely attuned to the intricacies of current comic book culture. If you don’t, get ready to establish your cred with the student set.
In a nutshell, the Infinity Stones are six gems – Mind, Soul, Space, Power, Time and Reality – that allow whomever possesses them to command the aspect of the universe that it represents. The battle between villains and heroes to collect these stones and wield their power is an overarching theme in the Marvel universe. In fact, Marvel’s most villainous villain, Thanos, tries to collect all six stones to reach his evil objective of reducing the population of the universe by half.
If you’re interested, here’s a full rundown of Infinity Stones and how they’re used in the Marvel movie world.
Great, what does this have to do with science?
OK, this is where we come in. With a mineral test kit and the actual rocks and minerals below, you’ll have the power to mesmerize and impress distracted students while they learn how to test and record their physical properties. If you already have these in your classroom, you’re good to go. If not, just click the links below to find real-life specimens that match the colors of the six Infinity Stones.
Have fun saving the world!
Sulfur (Mind Stone) Access other people’s thoughts and dreams
Copper (Soul Stone) Control over living and dead souls.
Sodalite (Space Stone) Move yourself or an object to any location.
Amethyst (Power Stone) Manipulate and enhance all forms of energy, including the other five stones.
Fluorite (Time Stone) Control the past, present, and future.
Red Ochre Hematite (Reality Stone) Create an alternate reality to fulfill your wishes.
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Rock and Mineral Test Kit
A handy zippered pouch contains all the equipment you need to perform a variety of physical properties tests.
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Geology Specimen Key Cards
These free one-page downloadable guides detail the properties of a variety of rocks and minerals for students to identify
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Have questions about rock and mineral samples or just want more ways to help students discover earth science? Ask the Ward’s Science Plus Us team at sciencehelp@vwr.com. Our in-house scientists and technicians are ready to answer even the toughest inquiries.
