DISCOVERING GEOLOGY PATCH PROGRAM
All levels need to only complete 3 requirements

1. Geology is the study of the earth and its life through rocks and minerals. The entire earth is made of rocks and minerals. You need minerals to make rocks, but you don't need rocks to make minerals. Define, locate, or draw, the four layers of the earth; crust, inner core, outer core, and mantle.

2. All rocks contain minerals. There are three basic type of rocks, Igneous Rocks, formed when hot magma (melted rock) from a volcano cools; Sedimentary Rocks, made from the erosion and depositing of other rocks in lakes, streams and rivers (over 75% of the earth are covered with these); Metamorphic Rocks, least common rock, created when igneous or sedimentary rocks are transformed by great heat and/or pressure. Gather small rocks in the front yard or play area and have the participants categorize them by color and shape. There is a guide in our Geology kit to assist them in catergorizing the rocks.

3. One of the most well known examples of erosion in the United States is the Grand Canyon. Water and weather cause pieces of rock to break away flow or be carried to a different location. Look for erosion in your neighborhood, waterways, or parks OR collect litter in public areas.

4. A mineral contains the same substance all the way through. Choose 3 minerals to study more closely. This can be from a book, museum or your home. Label the minerals according to color, size and texture. Is it transparent to translucent? For example, aluminum; silver, thin, and shiny. Other examples of minerals you may find in your home are brass, tin, copper, silver, gold, and nickel. http://www.galleries.com/minerals/by-name.htm

5. Rocks are used to make many things that we use and live in today. Look around your neighborhood and name 3 things that are constructed from a rock substance or visit a quarry. Examples are brick, sidewalk, tiles, or driveway.

6. Gemstones are primarily used for decorations in jewelry. They can be cut into almost any desired shape or size. They are valued according to their rarity, size, and color. The most familiar gem is the diamond. View gems in books or at museums; OR find out what your monthly birthstone is and what it looks like; OR find out the four "C"'s of purchasing the best diamond.

7. Rocks break down and eventually become soil. Soil can be reused to create beautiful art projects. Create an art project using rocks, stones or soil. Examples are clay, make your own pottery; chalk, design a picture on the sidewalk or paper; peat soil, plant a flower in a neighborhood or your own pot; OR create your own sand art design in a bottle or paper.

8. Mining for silver, gold, and copper started thousands of years ago. Learn more about mining, visit a mine museum or tour, dig for gems or pan for gold.

9. A common hobby is collecting rocks and minerals. First, you start with collecting shiny, smooth, or special shaped rocks in your driveway. Is collecting rocks or minerals something you would like to do? If so, you should choose a box or object to store your items in. Start a collection or view a collection of rocks and minerals. A bag of rocks and minerals is available through Patchwork Designs, Inc., local suppliers or museums.

10. Rock formations called stalactites and stalagmites are formed in caves or caverns. What is a stalactite and stalagmite? View them in a book or visit a cavern or cave that offers tours of these formations.

11.Geologists study rocks and minerals. Learn more about being a geologist or research another career in Geoscience such as a Stratigraphers, lapidarist, jeweler, Mineralogists, Soil scientists, Geochronologists, mining geologists, Petrologists, and Geochemists.

12. Many Museums have displays of rocks, minerals, and precious gems. Visit a local museum, website, or book to view some of these pieces. Some examples are the Hope Diamond at the Natural History Museum in Washington DC; A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan; or California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa, California.

13. Would you like to be a Geologist in your own home or backyard? There are several items that can assist you in getting familiar with rocks and minerals. Choose one piece of equipment to learn more about or use. Examples are: magnifying glass, camera, goggles, geologist hammer, field guides, mineral chart, microscope, and maps. Be careful not to take risks and climb too high, wear protective gear durable for being in a rocky area, take a backpack with your supplies, food and drink, and always let someone know where you are going.

14. Add a twist to your geology discovery and create or purchase editable treats that represent the study of rocks and minerals. Examples are rock candy, dirt cupcakes, rocky road ice cream or cookies, decorated cookies with colored sugar crystals or candy jewelry. Recipes available in our Discovering Geology Kit.