The Metal Museum LTC – February 22, 2011

Mary Savina

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Why a Metal Museum? Conflict minerals and critical minerals in the news

Nicholas Kristof – “Death By Gadget” NY Times HR 4173 – Wall St. reform bill, section 1502YouTube video MAC and PC: more alike than you

thinkConnecting students’ lives and choices to resource

issues: Jim Farrell (St. O) assignment “The Nature of

College” (spring term book group plug)ACM – Integrating Sustainability/Curriculum: and STUFF

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MMI Baby

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Mineral Information Institute

My Goals and VIZVIZ 2009 workshop – display/museum

exhibitsVisualizing quantitative dataFinding and evaluating sourcesCollaborating and peer reviewUsing an exhibit

To make a case Object-centeredAccessing College collectionsWriting for a general audience

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MineralsMineral: "a naturally occurring inorganic element or

compound having an orderly internal structure” Bates and Jackson, 1980, Glossary of Geology: Washington, American Geological Institute

Critical mineral: An essential mineral (for which few substitutes exist) subject to considerable supply risk. National Research Council, Board of Earth Sciences and Resources, 2008, Minerals, Critical Minerals and the U.S. Economy: Washington, National Academy Press, p. 30-31, 238

Strategic mineral: A mineral needed for national security, military and/or emergency response. Ibid, p. 31, 241

Conflict mineral: A mineral whose mining and trade finances armed conflict. HR 4173, sec. 1502 (e) (4), Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed by President Obama, 7/21/2010

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Scaffolding assignment 1Background readingField trips to quarries and Cambria mfg.

plantPowerpoint slides: “make a case” for a metal

(14)Vote on metals – (5)

Exhibit proposals / mock-upsIntro to the Geology Department Dana set

(mineral collection)

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Scaffolding Assignment 2Trip to St. Olaf to view exhibits and develop

criteria Exhibit draft / final mock-upExhibit review by Environmental Ethics classMount exhibitDescribe exhibit to selected visitors

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Final list of metalsMetal name Problem/issue

Rare-Earth minerals Restricted supply from China; high demand. Not mined in US.

Tungsten “conflict metal” – DR of Congo. Not mined in US.

Magnesium On EU list of critical raw materials

Copper Price increasing, demand increasing

Titanium On EU list of critical raw materials

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A Case for Titanium:*Titanium has a lot of common uses, and is very important to our society today. It should therefore be included in our Metal Museum Projects.Physical Properties of Titanium:•Lightweight, Strong, Corrosion resistant•Abundant in nature•Transition metal, group 4 on the periodic table•Density equivalent to other alloy metals•High melting point of 3135 degrees Fahrenheit, which is greater than steel•Has a low Linear Coefficient of Expansion, which is ideal if the material will be subjected to heating/cooling•Slightly magnetic

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AS A RESOURCE

Comes from chromite

Most abundant in: South Africa, Kazakhstan, India, Russia, and Turkey

World resource = 12 billion tons

South Africa and Kazakhstan house 95% of world’s supply of chromium

Economic downturn caused drop in demand for chromium – people looking for cheaper product

U.S. must import – China plays leading role in manufacture of chromium and steel

* Not only is chromium and important material in much of American industry, architecture, etc., but it also is the focal point of a current controversy concerning America’s dependence on China. Some are concerned about the U.S. being solely dependent on China as its provider of chromium and, especially, stainless steel. This is an especially relevant debate as China continues to grow as a world power. Many wonder what could this means for the future of the U.S.. I think it would be beneficial to further research the metal, especially as it relates to America in the international community.

Exhibit Criteria from students(based on displays at St. Olaf)Lots of visualsConservative use of textSomething to hook peopleOrganized

“bit of a flow”Aesthetically pleasing

“Borders look nice”Readable

Aimed at the proper audienceAll parts clearly labeled

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Final exhibit – ground Mudd

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Titanium

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Rare Earth Elements

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Reflection and thanks Good assignment? – Improvements:

Help students implement their criteria more effectively Help students use the display to make a case (Why should we care?) Students had a lot of fun

Managing expectations (value of a not-ready-for-prime-time exhibit) Thanks to:

Ann Zawistoski Kim Smith and the Environmental Ethics class Tucker MacNeill Victoria Morse Carol Rutz Tim Vick Jill Ewald, St. Olaf College Callie Millington, Andrew Walters, Miki Beavis Ellen Iverson, Gudrun Willett

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