Field Trip to Trowbridge Hall

Trowbridge Hall is home to the University of Iowa’s widely recognized Geoscience Department and the Iowa Geological and Water Survey, yet it also houses a little-known collection that is on display in its very halls. Within this historic building resides a collection of both hard-to-find and familiar minerals from around the state and around the world and whose histories are as varied as their colors and shapes. 

One example is this specimen of selenite found in Oklahoma. Selenite, otherwise known as Gypsum (CaSO₄*₂H₂O), is a common sulfate evaporate mineral found in warm, arid regions. Gypsum is typically clear to white in color but can sometimes come in brown tabular shapes as show in the specimen to the right. Gypsum is also a very soft mineral often used in plaster and cement, but another form, referred to as “alabaster,” is used in stone and monument carving. 

Realgar is an arsenic sulfide mineral (AsS), pictured right, which is only common in certain areas with low-temperature hydrothermal activity. Realgar can appear to be blood-red with prismatic crystals, but once exposed to sunlight and weathering, begins to change to the typical yellow and granular structure associated with sulfur deposits. This substance was once used in early fireworks manufacturing in China to produce the brilliant white colors that are now produced by many powdered metals such as magnesium. Realgar was also used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a type of rat poison and red pigment in paints. 

 Heulandite is a silicate mineral with a lot going on. The chemical composition contains calcium, sodium, aluminum, silicon, oxygen and water molecules, a large mix of atoms for such small crystals, and is formed in the cavities commonly found in the volcanic rocks called basalts and in lower-temperature hydrothermal settings. These crystals are commonly tabular and radiate out from a single point in a cavity.

The mineral above is an interesting specimen with a long history and a dangerous side. Cinnabar is a mercury sulfide (HgS) with a beautiful red to purple color and a rhombohedral to tabular shape typically crystallizing in areas of lower temperatures around volcanic hot springs alongside opal. As many now know, mercury is a very sever hazard to humans and animals, and cinnabar is a common mineral ore for mercury, yet people in ancient China did not realize this information. In the Taoist tradition, priests would create mixtures with cinnabar to provide to emperors and elite leaders in order to prolong their life; however, we now know that cinnabar has the complete opposite effect, inflicting the imbiber with mercury poisoning.

These minerals mentioned here, and many other illustrious specimens, can be seen on display in the hallways of Trowbridge Hall on the University of Iowa campus. Please contact the Museum of Natural History with any questions about the location or about any of the minerals on display.  

-Written by MNH Education Staff Member Lee Falkena

UI Herbarium

Did you know the University of Iowa had a herbarium? Did you know it was part of the UI Museum of Natural History? The Herbarium was established by Charles White in the Cabinet of Natural History (now the Museum of Natural History). The Cabinet of Natural History and Herbarium were housed in the Old Capitol building around 1869. It was the first Herbarium in the state! In 1880, Thomas Macbride became the first Professor of Botany and Curator of the Herbarium. For the next 55 years, Macbride and Bohumil Shimek contributed more than 25,000 specimens, and most were collected in Iowa. The Herbarium was a repository for dried and fossil plant specimens from all over the world, but the primary focus was Iowa and North America. The Herbarium was one of the largest in the United States, and housed the only major collection of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, hornworts) and fossils in the state.

Despite its vital resource for students, staff, and faculty and historical significance, the University of Iowa closed the Herbarium in April of 2004. The collection was taken to Iowa State University Herbarium….or that’s what we thought! The UI Biology Department was clearing out a classroom, and invited us to see if we wanted/needed anything for our teaching collection or the education department. While we were rummaging through things, we discovered a dried Fibra Satanta specimen from Guatemala. This plant once belonged in our Herbarium and now it’s back at the Museum!

-Written by Assistant Education Coordinator Ashlee Gloede

Adventures in Geology, Paleontology, and Archaeology

Each summer the Belin-Blank Center offers a variety of challenging courses in science, math, and literature for students in grades 2^nd-6^th. These programs allow students to explore a variety of cultural and recreational activities, as well as experience college life through study and play in university classrooms, laboratories, dining halls and recreational centers.

This summer the UI Museum of Natural History took part in Belin-Blank Center program, Challenges for Elementary School Students (CHESS). Eight students in 4^th-6^th grade participated in this program at the museum. They traveled back in time to discover 500 million years of our state’s natural history while solving science mysteries along the way. They explored the fields of geology, paleontology, and archaeology by conducting investigations with real University of Iowa scientists around campus and learn about these career fields in the real world.

Let’s rock! The students began their 500 million year adventure by visiting Trowbridge Hall. In the halls of Trowbridge, the UI Paleontology Repository has a variety of rocks and minerals on display (these displays are free and open to the public). To understand what is a mineral, students picked their favorite mineral to draw and describe. Outside of Trowbridge Hall, the students visited the rock garden to discuss the rock cycle and the many different types of rocks.

 

MNH’s Education Department developed discovery trunks for the Devonian period, Pennsylvanian period, and Quaternary period. The students explored these trunks to learn more about these time periods. Each trunk is equipped with fossils, fossil replicas, lesson plans, rock, rock/mineral kits, and books (for all reading levels). Each trunk contains different items depending on the time period covered within. (For more information about the Discovery Trunks, please email uimnh@uiowa.edu or call 319.335.0606.) The students had an exceptionally fun time playing a Fossilization Game from the trunk. In the game, students are given chances to travel  from life to death to fossilization and discovery.

The students had a blast learning about volcanoes! They discussed the three types of volcanoes – cinder, shield, and composition – and played two games to help understand the processes of volcanoes. Are you faster than lava? That’s a question we proposed to the students. We had four different lava flows – Stombolian, A’a, Pyroclastic, and Pahoehoe. We timed the students to see who could out run/survive each type of lava flow.

Throughout the two weeks, the students visited the UI Paleontology Repository, Office of the State Archaeologist and the UI Museum of Natural History laboratories.  The UI Paleontology Repository comprises over a million fossils from invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant fossils. The students were able to explore millions of years of natural history on their tour through the Repository. During their adventure at the Office of the State Archaeologist, they experienced playing with Native American games, such as throwing atlatls. With recent mammoth excavations happening at the UI Museum of Natural History, the students learned how to clean and catalogue mammoth bones.

  

 

-Written by MNH Education Staffer Lee Falkena

Meteor Watch Day

Meteor Watch Day, a time to look to the skies for meteor showers. Will you be lucky enough to see meteors streaking across the night sky? We sure hope so.

Meteors are space dust and ice that enter the earth's atmosphere. Meteors can be as small as specks of dust. As they enter the atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up, producing light as they streak across the night sky. Sometimes, you see them streak across the sky and disappear at the horizon. Other times, they end suddenly, burning out right before your eyes. 

  

Amana Meteor displayed in Iowa Hall

If you are not able to see a meteor on Saturday, stop by the museum and check out our meteorite on display. This meteorite is about 4.5 billion years old! It fell near Amana in 1865. And remember to keep an eye out for upcoming meteors!

Upcoming Meteors to watch:

v  July 28 and 29, 2012 - Delta Aquarids

v  August 12 and 13, 2012 - Perseids

v  October 7, 2012 - Draconids

v  October 21, 2012, before dawn. - Orionids

v  November 4/5, 2012, late night November 4 until dawn November 5 - South Taurid

v  November 11/12, 2012, late night November 11 until dawn November 12 - North Taurids

v  November 16/17, 2012, late night November 16 until dawn November 17 - Leonids

v  December 13/14, 2012, late night December 13 until dawn December 14 - Geminids

Tips for watching meteorites:

v  Find a very dark place.

v  Find a location with open sky. A gap in the trees is not going to work; try a hilltop with a clear 360 view.

v  Get comfortable! The best way to watch meteorites is laying on your back look up, so bring plenty of blankets along.

v  Turn off all lights, if possible.

v  Don’t concentrate on one section of the sky. Meteorites come from all directions.

-Written by Assistant Education Coordinator Ashlee Gloede

Meteorite Display in Trowbridge Hall


 

Summer Outreach!

Parades were always my favorite part about summer - sitting along the parade route just waiting for candy or small trinkets to be thrown your way. Then once it was thrown running like crazy to get as much as possible before anyone else. When candy is involved all the rules are out the window, so there was always lots of pushing and running. After the parade, giant stomach aches from all the delicious candy that we were told not to eat because it would ruin lunch (we never listened).

The Museum of Natural History staff and volunteers will be visiting several cities over the summer, and participating in the town’s local events.

Saturday June 23 – Hog Wild Days parade in Hiawatha at 10am

Friday July 13 – Tiffin Fest parade at 6pm

Saturday July 14 – Tiffin Fest at the UI Dig Box from 11am-5pm

Saturday July 21 – Solon Beef Days parade at 10am

All these events are free and open to the public. Get ready to catch lots of candy!!


-Written by Assistant Education Coordinator Ashlee Gloede

Celebrate Iowa’s Museums!

Do you know that Iowa has over 300 museums?! Iowa’s museums include art, history, natural history and specialty museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens, arboretums, nature centers, historic sites and similar institutions.

On Thursday, June 7th Governor Terry Branstad proclaimed June 11-17, 2012 as Iowa Museum Week. During this week, Iowa Museums will raise awareness of their programs and celebrate what makes them unique community assets. Iowa’s museums are important community assets, attracting visitors to area hotels, restaurants, and recreational areas; providing education and outreach for all ages; driving both incoming tourism revenue and job creation; and contributing to the overall quality of life that makes Iowa’s communities great places to live, work, and raise a family. According to the American Association of Museums, museums average approximately 865 million visits per year or 2.3 million visits per day. That’s a lot of museum visits! It doesn’t hurt that there are museums in every state.

Museums are great places to explore, learn and spend time with family and friends. You really never know what you will find in a museum! The best way to find out is to explore. Throughout this week, visit some museums close to you to find out the wonders that are waiting behind their doors.

To celebrate Iowa Museum Week, the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History is hosting a special family night on Thursday June 14^th from 4pm-7pm in Iowa Hall. Families can paint a cast of an animal footprint to take home and enjoy! This activity is free and open to the public.

Show you care about Iowa’s museum not only this week, but everyday!

-Written by Assistant Education Coordinator Ashlee Gloede

Iowa City Children's Day

Children’s Day was one of many exciting events happening during the 2012 Iowa Arts Festival. Children’s Days is a free event produced by the Iowa City Public Library with help from a variety of local organizations. Children’s Day featured activities and entertainment geared toward children.

The UI Museum of Natural was one of many organizations that took part in this event. The museum has been involved with Children’s Day for the past several years. What child does not like to play with fossils or dig?!  Our booth involved both of these aspects. We had a large dig box that children dug in to find fossils from a variety of animals, such as the giant ground sloth, bison, cows, and other animals.

We also had a hands-on table filled with fossils from Devonian period to the present. Children and adults were able to touch and discuss these million year old fossils.

Alex Woods from the Office of the State Archaeologist demonstrated to families how to flint knap. What is flint knapping? It is the making of chipped stone tools. This technology was used in historic times to manufacture gun flints and in prehistoric times to make spear and dart points, arrow heads, knives, scrapers, blades, gravers, perforators, and many other tools.

Flat Rusty even got to get his hands dirty looking for fossils! We had a wonderful time at this year’s Children’s Day. It is always great to see all the children and families come out to such a fun event. To learn more about Summer of the Arts events later this summer check out their website at: http://www.summerofthearts.org/summer-of-the-arts/home.aspx



-Written by Assistant Education Coordinator Ashlee Gloede