ENWYC visits Rock Fest

On May 30, 2013, ENWYC went to Rock Fest for a special outing. This event was held at Fernbank Science Center and was held in honor of the book release – Roadside Geology of Georgia.

The event included a rock id session. We found out that not all rocks are actually rocks. Sometimes, they are minerals. For example, the beautiful quartz that one of the children brought in is actually a mineral. I’m not sure Dr. Bill Witherspoon convinced him that it was not a rock, but, some of us learned the lesson. We also had rocks mixed with minerals.

 

There were also several exhibits throughout the Fernbank Science Center. Several were hands-on. Getting a chance to hold a dinosaur bone was quite cool. The section was from the leg bone of a T-Rex. It was a huge highlight.

Another highlight was selecting a treasure for their own collection. One of the exhibitors was kind enough to set up a tray of rocks, minerals, and fossils for the children to pick a treasure to take home. Some of the selections included quartz crystals, sharks teeth, manatee bone, and agate.

We played a game Where’s Archimedes? Can you find Archimedes? 

 

 

Hint: It has a screw shape. There are several in the rock above. There were other types of fossils inside.

Also included in the fossil section were Trilobite fossils such as the one seen below.  

 

The evening ended with a book talk and book signing.  Both authors, Pamela J.W. Gore and William Witherspoon shared some interesting tidbits.   Roadside Geology of Georgia is written for everyone to enjoy.