One-day workshop on minerals, rocks and fossils in the Geology Department – a fantastic success

November 2012

On Saturday 24th November, 28 enthusiastic members of the public entered the Museum Building for a highly interactive and enjoyable daylong workshop on minerals, rocks and fossils led by Dr Ian Sanders and Dr Patrick Wyse Jackson with the assistance of two postgraduate students, Anthea Lacchia and Gavin Kenny.

In order to encourage participation and ‘hands-on’ experience, those who attended were divided into two groups. In the morning one group explored the fascinating world of fossils and ancient life with Patrick Wyse Jackson while the other group joined Ian Sanders for a journey through the common rocks found in Ireland, moving on to more bizarre specimens such as giant gypsum crystals and flexible sandstone. Looking at rock thin sections through a microscope caused particular excitement. The groups swapped over in the afternoon.

Lunch of salad rolls, biscuits, tea and coffee was provided in the Department and the break afforded the group the opportunity to peruse the collection of the Geological Museum. 

One participant emailed afterwards: For someone who has only a very basic science background, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Your enthusiasm and expertise made complex information very accessible and engaging.  May we have more ?

The daylong workshop perfectly complemented the Department’s well-attended and popular evening lecture series, ‘Rocks, Resources, Risks’, run during Michaelmas term (still running every Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Museum Building and open to all). Together the lectures and workshop have opened up geology to a wider audience and highlighted its tremendous relevance to modern society.
 

[Article by Gavin Kenny; Images courtesy Vincent Courson]

Pictures from the day