Teachers can find further help on gems and minerals with information from the 
Study of rocks/minerals
A study of rocks and minerals gives our visitors the opportunity to examine and compare samples to illustrate their varied appearance, origin and properties. This gives rise to a discussion of the many different uses of stone now and throughout history.
Available to: Pre-booked groups, school groups
Fossil Rubbing
Fossil rubbing involves making careful rubbings of fossil replicas, encouraging students to make a detailed look at their structure.
Available to: All visitors daily* (see shop for information), pre-booked groups, school groups
Treasure in the Rocks Day Events
These day events offer school groups several short 'taster' sessions from the range of activities available at the National Stone Centre.
Activities
Gem Panning
Gem panning is a fascinating hands-on activity. Visitors carry their pan of 'sand' to shallow ponds of clean water and swirl the mixture to separate out the hidden semi-precious gems. A case of labelled examples is available to assist with identification by colour and shape. Visitors then get to take the gems they find home with them!
Available to: All visitors daily* (see shop for information), school groups
Soil Study
A demonstration of different types of soils is available. This includes comparing their varied texture and properties and illustrating the relationship of soils with the underlying rock and the process of colonisation by plants.
Available to: Pre-booked groups, school groupsFossil Casting
Fossil casting gives children the opportunity to make Plaster of Paris casts of fossils. They can find out about the earliest plants and creatures on Earth and think about how their remains became part of the rocks beneath our feet.
Available to: Pre-booked groups, school groups (10-25 only)
*shop closed on Christmas Day
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Activities and features available every day Gem panning Activities that need to be pre-booked Contact the NSC to book these activities |
Quarry Visit
The National Stone Centre can arrange a guided visit to a safe viewpoint overlooking a nearby working quarry. This visit looks at the processes involved in modern quarrying, uses of stone and ways of lessening the environmental impact of the industry.
Note: For the quarry visit each group should use their own transport in order to save time. Visitors are also advised to wear wellingtons or very sturdy footwear, as access to the viewpoint is across a field that can be muddy in wet weather.
Available to: Pre-booked groups, school groups
'Treasure in the Rocks' shop
The 'Treasure in the Rocks' shop is in the Discovery Centre and is an Aladdin’s Cave of minerals, fossils, crystals, books and souvenirs.
Available to: All visitors daily*
*shop closed on Christmas Day
Millennium Wall
The Millennium Wall was built using different types of rocks brought from all over the British Isles. As well as displaying different styles of walling, the Millennium Wall can be a lesson on the environment in its own right – habitats for different types of creatures and plants depending on the type of stone.
Available to: All visitors daily (see shop for information*)
Story of Stone Exhibition
The Story of Stone Exhibition is an indoor exhibition in the Discovery Centre illustrating every aspect of stone from molten rock, through its immense range of uses, to current environmental debate. Differentiated quiz sheets are available if required at no additional charge.
Available to: All visitors daily* (see shop for information), pre-booked groups, school groups
Guided Trail
This trail helps our visitors to discover the fossilised 
remains of sea creatures that lived in a tropical lagoon near the equator 330 million years ago. How can they be embedded in rocks high above sea level in land-locked Derbyshire?
There is also evidence illustrating the varied industrial history of the site – 
limestone quarries, a lead mine and a lime kiln can all be seen on the trail. The trail may be varied to take into account age, ability and knowledge as well as the time you have available. Contact us and let us know your requirements at the time of booking. The trail includes a visit to the Millennium Wall.
Available to: Pre-booked groups, school groups
