Learn the science behind the technology in your electronic devices! In the High Tech Rocks! STEM Kit, students become solid-state chemists as they manipulate natural materials (like minerals) to produce useful physical properties (like magnets).
Big Concepts include: 1) physical properties; 2) crystal structure; 3) electrochemistry; 4) magnetism; and 5) phase diagrams.
Scientific Inquiry Skills include: 1) use of chemicals; 2) characterization of physical properties; and 3) use of science notebooks.
High Tech Rocks! STEM Kit Tutorials
- Using the Atomic Layer Model video (coming soon)
- Making the Headphone Work video (coming soon)
- High Tech Rocks! STEM Kit Use Instructions (complete teacher guide)
- High Tech Rocks! STEM Kit Clean-Up & Repacking Instructions
- High Tech Rocks! STEM Kit Material List
High Tech Rocks! STEM Kit Resources
- Video Introduction (coming soon)
- Dot Grid Template
- Pourbaix Phase Diagram
- Science Notebook Template (for use in lieu of Science Notebooks)
- Science Notebook Template (Spanish version)
- Science Notebook Evaluation Rubric (coming soon)
- High Tech Rocks! STEM Kit Instruction Booklet
(available upon request – email name and school to Dr. Andrew Warnock)
CSU Resources
- Faculty Collaborator: Dr. Jamie Neilson – College of Natural Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry
Other Useful Resources
- Unit Cells Explained
- Grains & Grain Boundaries Explained
- Annealing vs. Quenching Explained (coming soon)
- Phase Changes & Diagrams Explained (coming soon)
- Crystal Properties and Grain Structure video
- Have You Ever Seen an Atom? video
Borrowing High Tech Rocks! STEM Kits
There is no charge to educators who wish to borrow any of our STEM kits. We appreciate applications be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the desired use date. The loan application forms require you to confirm your email address before it will be sent to the EOC – so once you click submit, check your email (including the junk folder)! You should also get a copy of the form for your records via email, if you don’t, please contact Courtney Gooding Butler (courtney.butler@colostate.edu).
- Local Pick-Up Loan Application Form – for educators in the immediate area of Fort Collins (i.e.: Greeley, Loveland, Ault, Windsor, Johnstown, etc.)
- Delivery Loan Application Form – for educators in Colorado outside of the immediate Fort Collins area
- Educator Feedback Survey – must be completed after returning kits to the NSEOC and before another kit can be requested
