and contributed 21 pairs of pjs to Scholastic
Books. For their efforts, the group was
rewarded with an ice cream sundae party.
On a national level, Scholastic received
129,353 pairs of pajamas in 2017 and over
100,000 books were donated to children of
all ages. Next year, Mrs. Bigler hopes to hold
the drive on a larger scale by inviting other
classes to participate.
In combination
with science
lessons about
rocks and
minerals,
Carnegie
Elementary
third graders made a virtual
tour through a geode mine in
Chihuahua, Mexico, thanks to
visiting geologist Jeffrey Smith
who used photos and video clips
Carly Conroy, Rayanne Bigos, Dane Colberg, and
to simulate an excursion deep into Grayson Jodon examined the different shapes and
sizes of geodes on a display table.
the earth. While on the imaginary
journey, students tunneled 100
feet beneath the dessert, climbed
through mine shafts of the Las
Choyas Geode Deposit, and used a
pick-like tool to chisel geodes from
volcanic rock that surrounded it.
Afterwards, they learned geodes
are spherical gas bubbles that form
in lava as it hardens. Quartz is the
main mineral found in geodes as
well as opal and agate. Mr. Smith
Kaylee Bell, Isabella Cairns, Hanalee Nordeen, Ella
displayed a number of geodes
Warga, Zoey Harrist, and Jackson Keeney waited
of all sizes on a table. Youngsters
in line to observe as a geode was cracked open by
were able to examine the colorful
geologist Jeff Smith.
crystals while waiting in line to
observe the geologist as he cracked the hardened shell of geodes he pulled from
a bag using a weighty iron apparatus. Every student received a geode with a
sparkling treasure inside. Smith has traveled to Mexico on many occasions to mine
geodes. One of his more vibrant stones is on display in the Carnegie Museum of
Natural History.
CARLYNTON-MONTOUR
❘
SPRING 2018
45