Gold In Colorado

Just the mention of that word whets the appetite for riches, adventure, and the excitement of discovery. Men have been giving up the comforts of home to search for gold since before recorded history. They have climbed over vast and imposing mountain ranges, suffered the biting blasts of the arctic, fought through disease infested jungles, and wandered across parched and lonely deserts all for gold, the most beautiful and most desired of all metals.

Gold has been treasured since prehistoric times. Gold artifacts are found in some of the earliest archaeological sites. The earliest known geological map is Egyptian, and it dates from about 3,300 years ago. The map depicts "mountains of gold" and shows areas where gold was recovered and where miners lived. No one is sure of the exact location of this ancient mine; however, it may be in the Red Sea hills near the present day Suez Canal.

47 mins. | IV218D $32.95 DVD

Level: Grades 6-12

Copyright 2009

Gold

Throughout the ages men and women have cherished gold, and many have had a compelling desire to amass great quantities of it -- so compelling a desire, in fact, that the frantic need to seek and hoard gold has aptly named "gold fever".

Gold was among the first metals to be mined because it commonly occurs in its native form, that is, not combined with other elements, because it is beautiful and imperishable, and because exquisite objects can be made from it. Artisans of ancient civilizations used gold lavishly in decorating tombs and temples, and gold objects made more that 5,00 years ago.

32 mins. | IV214D $32.95 DVD

Level: Grades 6-12

Copyright 2008

An Introduction To Rocks and Minerals

Look at the characteristics used to identify common rocks and minerals. The physical properties of minerals including hardness, luster and color and discussed, as well as the chemical compositions of important rock-forming minerals.

20 mins. | IV11D $32.95 DVD

20 mins. | IV11V $29.95 VHS

Out of the Rocks

Filmed in the United States and at locations throughout the world, this program can be used by itself or as an introduction to the other mineral programs. It takes a look at the importance of minerals in the past, the present, and the technological challenges of the future.

Everything in the complex, human-engineered environment we call civilization is designed, fabricated and used according to the properties of minerals found in nature. Minerals are finite. There is only one crop, and one harvest. But a widespread sampling of the Earth?s crust has confirmed that adequate resources exist to meet human needs far, far into the future, if we manage them wisely. That implies recycling and continued research into the substitution of critical and rare resources with cheaper, more abundant materials like glass, aluminum, ceramics and paper.

Environmental issues associated with mining are discussed, along with new technologies developed to help us better understand the geologic history of the Earth. The story ends with the pressing questions of the ever-increasing demand for finite mineral resources.

29 mins. | IVOORD $32.95 DVD

29 mins. | IVOORV $29.95 VHS

Minerals in the Earth's Crust

Minerals are the basic building blocks of the earth. This program filled with live action video, looks at the major minerals which go on to make sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. While the DVD is comprehensive and a good introduction to the study of earth materials, it is not overwhelming to the beginning student. It organizes the most common minerals and shows how hey become the building blocks for sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks.

20 mins. | IV801D $32.95 DVD

20 mins. | IV801V $29.95 VHS

Igneous Rocks

One of three classifications of all rocks are those which were formed deep in the earth?s crust by melting and then recrystallization. Investigate plutonic rocks including granite, syenite, diorite, gabbro and ultramafic rocks. Also explore the igneous rocks of dikes and sills; examine volcanic rocks. A good overview to the study of rocks and excellent specimens which are not often found in classroom labs or the textbooks.

18 mins. | IVIR94D $32.95 DVD

18 mins. | IVIR94V $29.95 VHS

The Formation of Sedimentary Rocks

One of the three basic types of rock, sedimentary rocks include sandstone, limestone, siltstones, coquina, mudstones, shale, dolomites, conglomerates and fossil limestone. This program investigates how weathering breaks up rock and how this sediment is later turned into the various kinds of clastic and non-clastic rocks The DVD also shows how students can make sedimentary rock using simple, everyday materials.

19 mins. | IV134D $32.95 DVD

19 mins. | IV134V $29.95 VHS

Sedimentary Environments

This video program takes a very close and detailed look at the process of sedimentation. Its shows the student the environments we might expect to see when these sedimentary rocks were formed. Explore how sedimentary rocks were formed in a DESERT ENVIROMENT; RIVER ENVIROMENTS; DELTA ENVIROMENTS; LAKE AND SWAMP ENVIROMENTS; MARINE ENVIROMENTS; LAGOONS AND RESTRICED BAYS; SHELF ENVIROMENTS.

19 mins. | IVSE95D $32.95 DVD

19 mins. | IVSE95V $29.95 VHS

Oil Shale

Today most of our oil comes from deep wells drilled into rock. However, geologists have found that huge deposits of lower grade oil is trapped in shales which cover large tracks of land in the Appalachians and in basins of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Travel with us as we show you the major oil shale deposits in America. See how oil shale is formed, how it is recovered and processed; where it can be found. What is the future for this buried treasure? Is oil shale dead in America or is it the future source of most of our energy needs? Especially useful to teachers in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.

17 mins. | IVOS95D $32.95 DVD

17 mins. | IVMC17V $29.95 VHS

Collecting Rocks and Minerals

The Earth is made of rock, from the tallest mountains to the floor of the ocean. Rocks are all around most of us. Thousands of different types of rocks and minerals have been found on Earth. This DVD examines how rocks are continually changing. It looks at the types of rocks - Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic; How to start your own collection. How to identify rocks. Where to find rocks. Collecting equipment. Housing and enlarging your collection with tips for rock collectors.

22 mins. | IV136D $32.95 DVD

22 mins. | IV136V $29.95 VHS

The Use and Conservation of Minerals

With this program, your students will learn about the finite character of natural materials and minerals; how industry is able to save time, money and energy by reusing valuable minerals with recycling and finding better solutions thru materials science. This program reveals a comprehensive overview of how to extend limited Earth resources to future generations.

9 mins. | IV163D $32.95 DVD

9 mins. | IV163V $29.95 VHS