This is a great little project to get your students thinking about minerals, their properties, and their uses. First, students will conduct research on a mineral of their choice. I encourage them to pick a common rock forming mineral, or one that they are particularly interested in, like their birthstone. I try to steer them away from minerals that do not have many uses.

Next, students will create a cartoon character, an advertisement, or a superhero of that mineral. The character is meant to highlight the mineral’s important characteristics and uses. It should be colorful and fun.

I would introduce this project right before or soon after the students have learned about mineral properties, uses, and how to identify them. It only takes about 10 minutes to introduce and explain the project.

Print the first handout, the sheet that explains the project on regular paper. But print the Information Sheet and the sheet the artwork will go on back to back on cardstock.

Your students will love this easy project and you will be pleasantly surprised at what they will come up with.