The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals offers extensive research, training, workshops, classes, and educational material on the science of rocks and minerals. Our mineralogy and geology programs are featured in our Education area. There are special events and festivals annually for rock and mineral enthusiasts to learn even more.
Below is a collection earth science-related news, topics, discussions, and information to help you learn more about the study of rocks and minerals.
Rice NW Museum will be open special hours for Thanksgiving Week! We will also be having extra public tours! If you’re here Friday, Saturday, or Sunday at 2:00, meet your museum host at the Northwest Gallery for a guided tour of the museum. Hours for Thanksgiving Week: Monday, 11/20/2017: Closed Tuesday, 11/21/2017: Closed Wednesday, 11/22/2017: […]
Thanksgiving Holiday Hours Read More »
Executive Director Julian Gray was a special guest on KATU AMNWÂ this morning! If you missed it, watch the video on KATU.com!
Watch our Executive Director on Portland’s KATU AM Northwest! Read More »
If you’re a Leonardo DiCaprio fan, you’ve probably heard the term blood diamond. It’s the title of his 2006 film set in Sierra Leone against the backdrop of armed conflict funded by diamond sales. The film helped raise awareness about this terrible connection and the steps being taken to break it. Minerals associated with violence
Conflict Minerals and your Smartphone Read More »
Have you ever picked up a rock and wondered about what might be inside? This new exhibit puts everyday rocks under the microscope to show the beautiful secrets inside ordinary stones. This exhibit sheds light on some of the science behind the gorgeous minerals displayed at the museum. It’s great for families and people of
New Museum Exhibit: “What’s inside a rock?” Read More »
Curator Leslie Moclock will be giving this month’s OMSI Science Pub lecture at the Venetian Theatre & Bistro in Hillsboro, OR. Everyone knows that dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago. But have you ever wondered how we figured out that number? Come discover the secrets of geochronology and learn how scientists determine the age
Zircons are Forever at OMSI SciPub Read More »
What caught your eye in this photograph–did the pink rhodonite stand out, or was it the contrasting ribbons of black? Oddly enough, the same element is responsible for both of those colors: manganese!
What’s in the Box? Mighty Manganese Read More »
What color is this mineral? Look at it one way, and it appears blue. Turn it sideways, and it becomes bright purple! What exactly is going on?
What’s in the Box? Double Take Read More »
The map of the Jewel Cave National Monument continues to expand in South Dakota. Currently the Jewel Cave holds the claim of the third largest known cave in the world, but it has not always been easy. Back in July of 2011 tours of the mine had to be put on hold when the 28
New Discoveries at Jewel Cave Read More »
Meteorite Day at the Museum May 23, 2015 Visit us at the Rice NW Museum on Saturday, May 23, for our annual Meteorite Day. There will be guest lectures and special events for the family all day. Scientific American reports that life began on meteorites. Well, actually the ingredients necessary to start the building blocks
Meteorites Bring the Building Blocks of Life Read More »
Interested in volcanoes? The staff at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals are fascinated not only by volcanoes but the geology of them as well. We’ve put together a collection of online resources to help you learn more about active and inactive volcanoes. United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program The United States
Volcano Watch and Educational Resources Read More »
