Over the summer, growingSTEMS held several events in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Public Library. During one event, titled “Rockin Out”, student explore the world of rocks and minerals. Volunteers from growingSTEMS and The RoboBees explained the rock cycle and student participated in a hands on show and tell of various rock samples.
Groups were then challenge to sort a set of rock samples into groups of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
The final hands on activity the participants to experience the rock cycle in real time by using crayons. First students, shaved the crayons down to create sedimentary rocks, then compressed it to create metamorphic rocks. The last step in the cycle was replicated using a volcano, otherwise known as a pot of boiling water, to melt the crayons down into an igneous rock. Who knew that rocks could be so fun.
The program was part of a series of 12 events held by growingSTEMS at the local libraries that drew more than 374 students over the summer of 2013. These programs help students to continue to learn during the summer months while they are away from school. growingSTEMS is planning on hold a similar series next summer.
You can see more photos from these events in our Media section.