Attività di laboratorio per le scuole ad integrazione della didattica tradizionale

The paper describes laboratory activities on minerals and rocks organized by the Earth Sciences Department of the University of Milan, with the collaboration of its “Museo delle Collezioni mineralogiche petrografiche e giacimentologiche”. Following a “hands-on” approach, the students observe and describe the characters and properties of a large number of mineral and rock samples. The teacher and the researcher continuously stimulate the discussion and help to establish connections between the observed characters and the physical properties or processes causing them. Particular emphasis is given to minerals and rocks of common use in industry and applied technology as well as in the everyday life. The activities May be calibrated according to the level of knowledge of the class and the age of the students. The outcomes are mainly positive, since the practical activities represent a pleasant integration to the classical theoretical lessons and stimulate much interest in the study of minerals and rocks, often seen as boring arguments, as they are learned in a schematic and mnemonic way.