ENGAGING HOBBYISTS AND STUDENT VISITORS THROUGH MICROMINERAL ACTIVITIES AT THE JMU MINERAL MUSEUM

Micromineral collecting is a popular hobby among mineral enthusiasts. Small samples are mounted in 1-inch boxes and are labeled and curated into collections by the owner. Mounts may be constructed from clusters of crystals in matrix or single crystals. The micromounting community has fostered a culture of sharing through trading or giveaway of extras accumulated by collectors. The small sample size makes micromineral collecting an affordable and space-saving way to engage in learning about minerals. Microminerals are often aesthetically pleasing and many mineral species are only found as microscopic crystals. The JMU Mineral Museum recently explored two informal education opportunities involving micromineral collecting. The Micromineralogists of the National Capital Area requested the museum as a venue for a one-day micromineralogy conference including a mineral swap and discussions on the history of micromounting and the micromount collections at JMU. The museum invited undergraduate students from the UROCKS (Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Cave and Karst Science) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program and a mineral museum student assistant to join the conference. The micromineralogists prepared materials for students to create their own micromounts, and led informal discussions of the history of micromounting and well-known mineral sampling locations in the area. Subsequently, museum staff, including an undergraduate student assistant, created a micromount activity for visiting high school student groups based upon the conference experience. The success of the conference and high school activity demonstrates the strength of collaborating with local micromineralogy or mineral collecting groups as a way to make connections with hobbyists and to engage students in the mineral sciences.