Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-294
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-294
27 Feb 2023
 | 27 Feb 2023
Status: this preprint is open for discussion.

GC Insights: The crystal structures behind the optical properties of minerals – a case study of using TotBlocks in an undergraduate mineralogy lab

Derek D. V. Leung and Paige E. dePolo

Abstract. Spatial thinking represents an on-going challenge in geoscience education, but concrete manipulatives can bridge the gap by illustrating abstract concepts. In an undergraduate optical mineralogy lab session, TotBlocks were used to illustrate how mineral structures influence optical properties such as cleavage and pleochroism. More abstracted properties, e.g., extinction angles, were increasingly difficult to illustrate using this tool.

Derek D. V. Leung and Paige E. dePolo

Status: open (until 11 May 2023)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-294', David Mogk, 16 Mar 2023 reply

Derek D. V. Leung and Paige E. dePolo

Derek D. V. Leung and Paige E. dePolo

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Short summary
We used 3D-printed building blocks (TotBlocks) in an undergraduate optical mineralogy lab session to illustrate the links between crystal structures and the optical properties of minerals. Students built mica, pyroxene, and amphibole structures. We observed improved understanding of cleavage (how minerals break) and pleochroism (how light interacts with minerals), but understanding did not improve with more abstract concepts. TotBlocks hold potential as a teaching tool in mineralogy classrooms.