Science Fridayairs on WSQX Fridays 2-4pm
Are you a secret geology groupie? Do you have a rock collection on your window sill, in your garden or under your bed? We won't judge you, we have one too. We love rocks! WSKG has such an affinity for them, our Director of Science has a collection on her desk, in her house, and is known to ask her friends to add them to their suitcases when traveling due to her's being overweight and full of ......wait for it.... rocks. So this challenge is right up our ally. We have already started sharing our favorite #neatrock now is your turn.By Science Friday's Ariel Zych: Well, actually, rocks are really really neat. Rocks can have wild features on their surface or hide beautiful crystals inside. Rocks might be formed around extinct animals or inside of volcanoes or in distant galaxies. They might have been smoothed by streams or cracked by ice or polished by our atmosphere. A rock could be as old as our planet, or it could have been born yesterday in a science class, beneath a fire on a beach, or in a factory. Even the diversity of rock sizes and shapes might surprise you—rocks can be microscopic, as thin as paper, or as large as a mountain.All you have to do is:
- Find a really neat rock.
- Share a photo of your rock and tell us why you think it’s neat with the hashtag #neatrock, or use this form.
In collaboration with the American Geosciences Institute, we’ve got loads of tips and tools throughout the month to support you in your exploration of neat rocks!
- Whether you submit your rocks on Twitter, Instagram, or using our webform, we’ve got some experts who will be helping respond to submissions with fun facts and information throughout the month. We’ll be doing our best to answer your questions and direct you to more information!
- If you want to learn about your local rocks from an expert in your region, you can find an earth science organization near you with this handy Earth Science Organization Finder or explore this fully interactive USGS geologic map.
- If you just want to experience really neat rocks in a really neat setting, try exploring this amazing virtual 360-degree geologic expedition.
How do I find a #neatrock?You can find neat rocks anywhere, even on your roof! Be careful when looking for neat rocks that you don’t remove them from protected areas or private property, and try to leave nature the way you found it. Please be safe and lawful in your pursuit of neat rocks (for Science Club rules of the road, please read our project policies page).Why now?We’re thrilled to launch this challenge in anticipation of Earth Science Week, an international celebration of earth sciences and earth stewardship. You can learn more about Earth Science Week here. Also, is there ever a bad time to celebrate rocks? Nope, didn’t think so!Who can participate and how can I submit my #neatrock?Anyone, anywhere can participate by sharing a photo, illustration, description or other essence of a neat rock they’ve found and why they think it’s neat. Please do not mail us real physical rocks! You can post your rock photo and observations to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #neatrock, you can send them to us using this webform, you can e-mail it to us at scienceclub@sciencefriday.com, you can even send us a picture, illustration, or story about a rock you found directly to our offices at 19 W 44th street, Suite 412, New York, NY 10036. If you’re under the age of 13, please have a parent help you submit your #neatrock.I’m a teacher, how can I help my students participate?If a student brings you a mystery rock, what do you do? Join us for a interactive training on rock observation and inquiry, lead by experienced geoscience educators. This totally free training is happening Wednesday October 18th at 7pm ET. Register here. If you can’t make it to the training, never fear, we’ll have experts helping to respond to submissions throughout the month of October. For more ideas and earth science teaching resources, check out AGI’s Education Resource Network.