Wichita Gem and Mineral Show Education Day for Schools, Scouts, and 4-H

The Wichita Gem and Mineral Society offers an exciting and educational experience for schools, scouts, and 4-H groups. This is a great field trip opportunity to learn about mineralogy, rocks, and minerals with a hands on learning experience, to see many educational rock and mineral displays, to participate in rock collecting in the Junior Rock Pile, Gem Hunt, Fossil Hunt, and Rock Wheel of Fortune, free fluorescent rock show and to purchase Grab Bags containing 6 identified mineral specimens, a fossil, a fossil shark’s tooth, a polished rock, and a rock pendant necklace.

The Friday of the Wichita Gem and Mineral Show is Education Day, which is April 25, 2025. 30 minute educational programs for youth groups provide for the participants to identify 8 different minerals using simple testing methods used by professional mineralogists to identify minerals. A flow chart showing how the exercise works is shown below. The participants are provided the 8 mineral specimens and the simple testing materials. An instructor guides them through the procedure. The target audience is 3rd to 5th graders, although younger or older youth will still benefit from the program.

Grants of $3/student are available, upon request, for each youth group attending the educational program. The grant can be used to defer some travel expense, be used to provide class members an opportunity to purchase items at the show, or any other way the teacher wishes to support the attendance of her/his class at the show. The Junior Rock Pile, Gem Hunt, Fossil Hunt and Rock Wheel of Fortune all cost $1. Grab Bags cost $2.00. There are also 20 retail dealers at the show who have inexpensive items that can be purchased. There is no charge for youth groups on Friday to attend the show and participate in the mineral ID program. Reservations must be made ahead of time.

The show is held at the Cessna Employees Activity Center at 2744 S. George Washington Blvd, Wichita. Show hours are from 9 to 5 on Friday, April 26 2024, 10 to 6 on Saturday, and 10 to 5 on Sunday. The mineral ID classes are held from 9:30 to 3:00 on Friday. Reservations and grant applications can be made by calling or emailing Bruce Campbell at 316-683-6376 or wichita_campbells@yahoo.com.