Exploring the Concept. 1  Provide the materials to the students. 2  Instruct students to cover their desktops with paper. 3  Have students examine the sugar cubes with the magnifying glasses. Students should record their observations on the observation sheet provided. They can either draw or describe the sugar cubes.
Gold is a precious metal used around the world in jewelry, electronics and even dentistry. Extraction of gold requires mining for it beneath the Earth's surface. Mining for gold has some negative effects, including erosion, the use of cyanide, loss of biodiversity and disruption of indigenous communities. Erosion Erosion can strip away much needed soil.
The effects of the Gold Rush were substantial. San Francisco grew from a small settlement of about 200 residents in 1846 to a boomtown of about 36,000 by 1852. Roads, churches, schools and other towns were built throughout California.