Pikes Peak Pebble Pups and Earth Science Scholars: CSMS PEBBLE PUPS START NEW YEAR WITH GEODE FEST

Thursday, January 21, 2016

CSMS PEBBLE PUPS START NEW YEAR WITH GEODE FEST

By Steven Wade Veatch

The Pebble Pups spent the first class of the new year working with geodes. Roger Pittman brought his diamond studded trim saw and a supply of geodes for the Pebble Pups to work with. Each geode was sawed open and then washed in dish soap.

Next the Pups took their prized specimen to the classroom next door where the geodes were subjected to ultraviolet radiation by Blake Reher. Some of the geodes reacted to the radiation by fluorescing a bright lime green or a subtle blue.

Roger Pitman has been helping Steven Veatch with the Pebble Pups for many years. Blake Reher is a senior Pebble Pup who is now an assistant leader.

Roger Pitman is an assistant instructor in the Pebble Pup program.
Roger brings years of prospecting and geological field
experience to the program. Photo by S. W. Veatch

Blake Reher is an assistant Pebble Pup leader.
He assists Steven Veatch and the Pebble Pup instructors each meeting.
Blake will be leading a Pebble Pup field trip to
the Cave of the Winds this spring. Photo by S. W. Veatch.

Welcome! This is the gateway to adventure and discovery

Through this blog pebble pups and junior members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society can access their lessons, work on assignments and projects, and receive details about field trips in the Pikes Peak Region. This Internet program is also suitable for young people who are interested in Earth science but do not live near a rock club or gem and mineral society or for young people anywhere who want a deeper dive into these topics. The only requirement is that all participants must be members of the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society and must fill out the CSMS membership form (under important websites) and send their registration and membership fee in. Steven Veatch is the senior instructor and will need an email from you with your name, address, phone number, and permission from your parents to participate in this program.