The Phosphates: Apatite
Two Apatite crystals, 1.25 inches (32mm) and 2 inches (51 mm) from Quebec, Canada. Photographed by OG59.
Web Resources
Minerals Zone - Apatite Rock Phosphate
Minerals.net - The Apatite Group
Wikipedia - Apatite
Galleries.com - Apatite
WebMineral.com - Apatite
Mindat.org - Apatite - (clickable map at the bottom of the page)
Minerals Zone - Apatite Rock Phosphate
Minerals.net - The Apatite Group
Wikipedia - Apatite
Galleries.com - Apatite
WebMineral.com - Apatite
Mindat.org - Apatite - (clickable map at the bottom of the page)
Projects & Activities
Apatite Art Connections
Crystal Type & Color
Guidelines: Draw as many crystal types as you can find, but at least three, of Apatite, in your journal. Draw and color as many different Apatite color types as you can find, but at least three, on a separate page in your journal. You can use iRocks.com's Apatite page to assist you in your research.
Create an Apatite Varieties Poster Map
Variations of the Apatite Map
Interactive Maps
Guidelines: Using Natureglo's eScience PowerPoint, The Phosphates: Apatite, go to slide #'s 12 and 13 and go the link at Mindat.org - Apatite to use the clickable map at the bottom of the page.
Crystal Type & Color
Guidelines: Draw as many crystal types as you can find, but at least three, of Apatite, in your journal. Draw and color as many different Apatite color types as you can find, but at least three, on a separate page in your journal. You can use iRocks.com's Apatite page to assist you in your research.
Create an Apatite Varieties Poster Map
Variations of the Apatite Map
Interactive Maps
- Interactive Flaps Variation: Students can have flaps of paper that they cut out with all the information written on top, such as mineral variation, name of the mine and location. Glue it partially to the map so it can fold up. Then underneath, have the picture of the mineral.
- Digital Map - This would need to be researched by the student, but, students could create a digital map with photographs or use something like Prezi.com do create a digital-only map version of this same project. Prezi offers a baseline free version in addition to a paid version. The free version means the public can see your work.
Guidelines: Using Natureglo's eScience PowerPoint, The Phosphates: Apatite, go to slide #'s 12 and 13 and go the link at Mindat.org - Apatite to use the clickable map at the bottom of the page.
- Look through Natureglo's eScience PowerPoint, The Phosphates: Apatite slide #'s 12 & 13 for Apatite types of interest and their geographic range. You can simply copy and paste the text from the PowerPoint and do a Google search for photos. Just add the word Apatite to the phrase in your search since it was not repeatedly added to my bullet points.
- Decide on either doing a full world map of Apatite localities or select a smaller region or area of Apatite localities. For example, if you just want to research and find photos of Apatite from South America, you would simply focus on that continent of the world to do your research. Or, if you want to just study Apatite found in Maine, USA, you could do that as well. The choice is yours. The region can be as big or small as you want, but, the smaller the region, unless there are a lot of Apatite mines there, you may have challenges finding enough Apatite mines and photos from the region.
- Using the Mindat.org - Apatite map (scroll down to the bottom until you see the world map with the clickable pink crystals). Click through the crystals to find localities of interest. You can do additional Google searches to find actual specimen photos of interest from these areas.
- Either Print this Creative Commons world map or a map of your chosen region of study.
- Google search pictures of Apatite varieties from your region. If you choose to use Mindat.org's photos, most of them are under copyright. Simply put the copyright symbol and author's name. So long as you don't sell the map of copyright photos, you can use it under Fair Use for educational purposes. Just please be sure to include the photographer's name. Otherwise use Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons searches to find both Creative Commons and or Public Domain photos of Apatite from your region of study.
- Choose the size of your photos that will best fit on your map before printing them out. Make sure the photos don't take up too much room on the map, but aren't so small that viewers can't make out what they are. Print out your photos either in black and white or color. If they're in black and white, please color them as close to real life colors as possible, preferably with a wide selection of colored pencils. Paste the images to your map.
- Write in details such as the Apatite varieties next to their appropriate images. Include the name of the mine location similar to Mindat.org does on their world map but shorten the description as much as possible. Include: Apatite variety, name of the mine, and location.
- Share your work! If you're taking Natureglo's eScience Rocks & Minerals course, please photograph or scan your poster and share it with us on the CurrClick.com blog. We'd love to see your work!
Apatite Research Project Ideas
Students can use Natureglo's eScience PowerPoint, The Phosphates: Apatite to assist with their research. They can use both Google searches, the web resources and videos from this website and check out library books about rocks and Minerals with Apatite information in them.
Students can use Natureglo's eScience PowerPoint, The Phosphates: Apatite to assist with their research. They can use both Google searches, the web resources and videos from this website and check out library books about rocks and Minerals with Apatite information in them.
- Find out the many uses of Apatite.
- What are the different gemstone varieties of Apatite?
- How is Apatite mined?
- Find out about famous Apatite gemstones, history and or legends about it.
Live Class #4 & HYBRID Course Videos
(to be used for the Rocks & Minerals Mar. - May Live & HYBRID courses)
(to be used for the Rocks & Minerals Mar. - May Live & HYBRID courses)
Informative Videos
Take a virtual mining tour of Madagascar mining!