Junior Geologists

An evening for kids and their parents

The Jr. Geologists program is for families – kids and parents – of the Flatirons Mineral Club. The kids in the program range from 7 years old through high school. During the year, we generally meet on the third Tuesday evening of every month at 6:30 pm at the Mountain View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place in Boulder. Each month, the meetings are focused on one area of the earth sciences. In the summer, we like to get the kids out collecting. Parents are encouraged to join their kids at the meetings and take part in the activities.

At each month’s Jr. Geologists meeting, we work on the requirements for one or more geology-related badges, sponsored by the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Just by signing up, each child receives the Future Rockhound of America badge. Recently, the Jr. Geologists have been working on their Rocks and Minerals Badge. As the name implies, they are learning about the three different types of rocks – igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic – including how each are formed and how to tell them apart. The kids are also learning to identify minerals by luster, hardness, color, streak, cleavage, crystal form, and other properties using mineral identification kits they made. Each of the Jr. Geologists had the opportunity to grow crystals and learn how rocks are polished. We also cover topics of geology in Boulder and beyond, such as, meteorites and geodes.

In addition to the badges we earn at the monthly meetings, we are introducing a Jr. Geologists pin. Come to the meeting to learn how you can earn this award.

The FMC Jr. Geologists Program is open to all Flatirons Mineral Club families. Each month we learn more about geology, plus earn badges for different earth science activities. For information about the Jr. Geologists program, please contact gertenbach1@gmail.com.

Specimens Wanted: For the Jr. Geologists, we are looking for smoky and clear quartz crystals, calcite for hardness kits, and specimens that are too big for grab bags that the kids would like. Contact gertenbach1@gmail.com if you have specimens to donate.

Helpers Wanted: The Jr. Geologists are looking for adults who can help with the Jr. Geologists program, either for a special presentation or to help with the monthly meetings. If you would like to help, please contact gertenbach1@gmail.com.