KIDS PAGES -- AUGUST ACTIVITY CALENDAR!

WOW! HERE'S A TON OF WONDERFUL ACTIVITIES TO DO EACH
DAY IN THE MONTH.

WE HOPE YOU'LL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE FUN AND
INFORMATION EVERY CHANCE YOU CAN!

PERHAPS YOUR TEACHER, PARENT, OR OLDER BROTHER OR
SISTER CAN HELP YOU GATHER SOME OF THE MATERIALS YOU
NEED OR HELP YOU DO SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES.

MAYBE YOUR CLASS, BROWNIE TROOP, CUB SCOUT TROOP, 4-H
GROUP, OR A GROUP OF FRIENDS WOULD LIKE TO DO SOME OF
THESE ACTIVITIES TOGETHER.

AUGUST Kids Activity Calendar

August brings the sheaves of corn, then the harvest home is borne.

August 1
Make a Display of the Planets

Our earth isn't the only planet that has a special relationship with the sun. There
are eight other planets that revolve around the sun, some too close to it to
support any life (it's much too hot), some too far from the sun's warming rays
(brrrr). Can you name the other planets in our solar system? Did you know that
six of the other eight planets also have moons?

You can make a table-top display of the planets with foods and things found
right in your kitchen (well, you may not keep a beach ball there). Use the chart
below to round up the foods, or roll small bits of colored clay or play dough into
balls that match the relative sizes shown.

Sun beach ball (27")
Mercury tiny pea (3/32")
Venus pea (1/4")
Earth pea (1/4")
Mars small pea (1/8")
Jupiter orange (2 3/4")
Saturn tangerine (2 1/4")
Uranus walnut (1")
Neptune walnut (1")
Pluto- small pea (1/8")

Here's a good way to remember the planets in their proper order:
Men Very Early Made Jars Serve Useful Needs. Period.

August 2
Use the Sun to Dry Some Foods

Have you ever heard the expression, "It's so hot you could fry an egg on the
sidewalk?" Do you think you could really do this? Why not let the sun "bake"
some foods for you instead. How about some raisins or dried apple slices?

The sun is still used to dry foods throughout the world. (The drier continents,
especially, rely on this method of preserving food). All you need is a screen on
which to lay the food -- preferably a cloth screen or a piece of loosely woven
cotton fabric stapled to a frame (metal screens, no matter how clean, give food a
metallic taste). Peel and slice apples; pluck the grapes off the stems. To speed up
the drying, you can blanch your food -- by boiling it in water for 2 or 3 minutes
and cooling it immediately with cold running water -- but this isn't necessary for
fruits. Lay the food on the screen and cover it with more screening (try to keep
the covering from touching the food). Find a sunny spot to lay your screen and
keep an eye on the weather. Turn the foods now and again to insure even
drying. It's hard to say how long it will take the foods to dry -- much depends on
the weather. A temperature between 70 and 80 degrees (F.) accompanied by a
breeze is ideal. You can always finish up the job in a warm oven if the sky
clouds over.

 August 3
Make Some Solar Prints

Did you know that you can use the sun to make art? With special light-sensitive
paper, you can make solar prints of leaves and flowers, and just about anything
that will hold still for a few minutes! Many nature center gift shops, and toy and
hobby shops, carry this special paper. Ask for sunprinting paper.

Carefully arrange your items on the paper (some paper comes in a kit that
includes a sheet of clear plexiglas that can be used to hold the objects steady and
flat on your paper). Expose the paper to sunlight for about five minutes. Then,
remove the objects and put the paper in water to "fix" the image (your print is
now permanent). The objects you placed on the paper will show up white; the
background will be a rich, dark blue.
Frame your prints and hang them or use them to create more art. Trace around
the outlines to make pictures that you can color, or make a collage with lots of
different solar prints.

Cut the sheets of paper into smaller sizes and use them to make greeting cards.
Just glue the prints onto folded note cards for some original art-by-mail.

 August 4
Make a Sundial

One of the ways that people told time long ago was with a sundial (or shadow
clock as it was sometimes known). A sundial will only work on a sunny day, of
course, so other early timekeepers included a water clock that measured time as
the water dripped, and sand clocks, much like the egg-timers still in use today.

You can turn back the clock and tell time with a sundial yourself! All you need is
some thin cardboard, a protractor, and a 12" square block of wood or heavy
cardboard.

Cut a right-angle triangle from the thin board, using a protractor to measure the
angles).*

This is the gnomon (the "pointer"). Fold it along a marked dotted line (scoring
with a knife first), and tape upright on the wood block. You may need to brace
the gnomon with a second smaller triangle.

Place the sundial on a flat surface outdoors with the triangle's highest point facing
south. Starting early in the day, every hour on the hour, mark the line where the
gnomon's shadow falls. Write down the hour next to each line. The next sunny
day you'll be able to tell time by reading the shadows. Is it time for lunch yet?

*For a diagram showing the construction and dimensions of your sundial, send a
self-addressed-stamped, #10, business-size envelope to: Sundial. c/o CBA, Box
32, Clam Lake, WI 54517, and we'll mail you a copy of the construction
diagram.

 Telling Time... By The Flowers!?

If you didn't have a sundial in your garden to tell you when it was time to eat
lunch, you could just plant the right types of flowers that would let you know!
Carl von Linne (also known as Linnaeus) did!

By watching for the opening and closing of the blossoms, he claimed the "clock"
was accurate to within a half an hour on a sunny day. Do you think this really
works? Plant some of these flowers to find out!

6 am Spotted cat's ear (opens),,
7 am African marigold (opens)
8 am Mouse-ear hawkweed (opens)
9 am Prickly sow thistle (closes)
10 am Common nipplewort (closes)
11 am Star-of-Bethlehem (opens)
Noon Passion flower (opens)
1 pm Childing pink (closes)
2 pm Scarlet pimpernel (closes)
3 pm Hawkbit (closes)
4 pm Small bindweed (closes)
5 pm White water lily (closes)
6 pm Evening primrose (opens)

 August 5
Catch A Firefly

Fireflies, sometimes known as lightning bugs, are actually neither flies nor bugs,
but a type of beetle that uses flashing lights as a means of attracting mates. Both
sexes flash signals, although the females of most species are wingless and signal
from the ground.

Can you notice the variations of color, ranging from yellows to greens? You can
even detect differences in the timing of the signals. Different species hope, no
doubt, to attract only their own kind with their particular flashing.

Who can resist trying to catch fireflies? You can use a net, gently sweeping the
air, or position yourself with an open jar, ready to clamp down the lid when
you've captured one of these elusive insects. Fireflies prefer tall grass to mowed
lawns, so keep this in mind.

The beetles usually start signalling at dusk and continue until midnight, and can
be witnessed from mid-summer until early autumn.

You may be astonished by how very ordinary these insects look in the light.
They are smaller than their bright light suggests and are a dull brown color.

As you might have guessed, glow-worms are the larvae of fireflies.

August 6
Listen for Nocturnal Animals

The night comes alive with the sounds of nocturnal animals starting their "day."
You don't need to live near a wild area to hear a number of different animals that
have adapted to foraging and hunting for food once the sun has gone down.
Raccoons, skunks, and mice are among the mammals that live near people. They
benefit, in fact, from our habit of storing trash outdoors and from planting food
gardens in our backyards.
Why do these animals come out at night? Many are sensitive to the sun's drying
effects (these are mostly insects and amphibians); others hope to avoid
competing for the same food with daytime feeding animals. Many welcome the
protection that the dark provides.
Notice how many of these nocturnal animals have large eyes (to be able to see in
low light); their hearing and sense of smell are particularly acute. Some animals
such as bats, have a specially developed way of getting around in the dark called
echolocation.

Nearly 700 of the 1,000 bat species worldwide use this method of emitting
high-pitched sounds which bounce off nearby objects, returning to the bats' ears
as echoes. Bats dart out of the way of stationary objects (and hone in on the
flying insects that they eat) by judging the distance between themselves and
whatever blocks the sound waves.

 August 7
Watch for the Opening of Night-Blooming Flowers

The plants of night-blooming species that you started from seed or purchased as
plants, should be blossoming soon. Make it a point to watch these lovely oddities
open some evening. You might even witness the arrival of nocturnal moths that
pollinate these plants, much as bees and butterflies do with plants that bloom
during the daylight hours.
How do these moths find these plants in the dark of night? The heavy fragrances
of these blooms suggest that the moths are attracted to the scent of these
flowers. They are probably aided by sight, as well, because you'll notice that
many of these flowers are white and stand out in the darkness, reflecting what
light they can from the heavens.
The moonflower is the night-blooming relative of the morning glory.

 August 8
Read a Story or Poem about Night

The night is a time for quiet, and for sleep, but not for everyone!
Read one of these stories or poems to see who's out and about at night.

At Night
Aileen Fisher (poem)

Grandfather Twilight
Barbara Berger (story)

Night in the Country
Cynthia Rylant (story)

The Night is a Big Black Cat
G. Orr Clark (poem)

The Silent Concert
Mary Leister (story)

Night is a shadow, the earth itself blocking the sun.

 August 9
Notice How Your Senses are Affected by the Dark

When you are outdoors, concentrate on how your own senses respond to the
darkness of night. We rely so much on our eyes, that our other senses are
sometimes forgotten. It takes the human eye as long as 45 minutes to become
fully receptive to the dark, but even then our eyes are not nearly as useful in low
light as an owl's eyes are, for instance. What about smell and touch and hearing?

You might come to the conclusion that human beings are not particularly well
equipped to be out and about at night! It's true that we tend not to trust our other
senses as much as sight. But take a moment to really listen in the dark, and to
smell and feel your surroundings, even if you have to close your eyes or
blindfold yourself. Do the little sounds of night come alive? Do you think you
might be able to identify a tree by touch?

Close your eyes during the day sometimes, too. You will discover the fabulous
variety of textures and sounds and smells that are a part of nature.

 August 10
View the Summer Constellations

You'll find some of your old friends (the Big and Little Dippers, for instance) in
the summer sky, and some new ones. Easy to spot in late summer are three very
bright stars that form a triangle, although each belongs to charted constellations
of its own. Look for this trio, composed of the stars Deneb, Vega, and Altair.

You'll also be able to find the Northern Crown, Corona Borealis and some other
fascinating constellations. Cygnus, the Swan, is commonly known as the
Northern Cross, and it does resemble a cross (although it's not hard to see a
swan, either). The swan's feet are formed by Deneb, one of the three bright stars
mentioned earlier.

Enjoy the balmy summer nights, but don't forget your insect repellent, something
with long sleeves to put on if it gets cold, and a comfortable place to watch from.

 August 11
Watch for Meteor Showers

Wow! Fireworks in August! Well, not quite, but meteor showers are just as
exciting. Around August 10-13, stargazers stay up late to watch the Perseid
shower, an eagerly awaited summertime event. An average of 65 meteors light
up the sky each hour as they move towards the earth. The best time for viewing
is after midnight, but you'll see plenty earlier.

One hundred million meteors are thought to enter the earth's atmosphere each
day(!), most vaporizing high in the air. Occasionally fragments fall to earth, but
this is a rare occurrence. When actual pieces of rock are found, they are known
as meteorites.

While shooting stars (as they are popularly known) can be seen on almost any
clear night, there are certain times during the year, such as in August, when large
numbers of them can be seen.

The Perseid shower is actually the second largest of the annual meteor showers.
The most spectacular takes place around January 1-3 and is known as the
Quadrantids. An average of 100 meteors can be seen making their descent each
hour at that time.

______________________________________________________

The Sky is Falling!
The following table lists those annual meteor showers that are eagerly anticipated
by stargazers. Pull up a comfortable chair, grab a warm blanket, and watch the
show!

Date Shower Location in the Sky

January 1-3 Quadrantids E Between Bootes and head of Draco

April 20-22 Lyrids NE Between Vega and Hercules

May 4-6 Eta-Aquarids E SW of the Square of Pegasus

August 10-13 Perseids NE From Perseus

October 20-23 Orionids E Between Orion and Gemini

November 3-10 Taurids NE Between Taurus, Auriga and Perseus

December 10-12 Geminids E Near Castor in Gemini
__________________________________________________________

 August 12
Learn Some of the Cloud Formations

Why are there no clouds on some days and a whole sky full of them on other
days? There is always moisture in the air, but it bunches together into clouds
only when the conditions are right. The tiny droplets of water need something to
cling to, such as dust or pollen; the air temperature and wind play a part, too.
Some clouds are light and wispy, others heavy and dark. Do you know what
some of these clouds are called?

Clouds were first categorized and named in 1803 by a British pharmacist named
Luke Howard. He came up with the three basic groups: Cirrus (from the Latin
for "lock of hair"); cumulus ("heap"); and stratus ("spread out").

The modern classification of clouds uses Howard's three terms plus "alto"
(meaning "high") and "nimbus" ("dark rain cloud").

These terms are combined into various combinations to cover ten basic cloud
formations.

______________________________________________________

Here is where to look for various clouds:

Below 7,000 feet:
Stratus (sheet of dull gray).
Stratocumulus (irregular layers of puffy clouds).
Nimbostratus (raincloud, layered).

7,000 to 20,000 feet:
Cumulonimbus ("thunderheads" rising up high).
Cumulus (puffy, cauliflower shapes).
Altocumulus (patches of puffy clouds).
Altostratus (dense, layered).

Above 20,000 feet:
Cirrus (wispy).
Cirrostratus (thin layers, halo around sun or moon).
Cirrocumulus (wispy, wave-like).

 August 13
Make Cloud Pictures

Have you ever looked up into the sky and thought the clouds looked like huge
cotton balls floating on air? These were probably cumulus clouds; puffy shapes
that form close to the earth. Why not use some cotton balls to make some cloud
pictures?

You can even make a three dimensional cloud chart with cotton!*

Bunch up the cotton balls for those dense clouds; stretch the cotton out to show
the wispy ones. White glue wil hold the cotton in place. Add a little grey paint
(mix black and white for different shades of grey) to add realism to the gloomy
rain clouds.

*For a chart of clouds and cloud pictures, send a self-addressed-stamped,
number 10 business size envelope to: Clouds, CBA, Box 32, Clam Lake, WI
54517.

 August 14
Create a Cloud in Your Kitchen

For even more realism, create a cloud in your own home! You can even make it
rain. You've probably noticed the steam that comes out of the kettle spout, when
you boil water for cocoa, coffee, or tea. This steam is formed as the water vapor
escaping from the kettle meets the colder air beyond (water vapor is normally
invisible). The steam is a cloud, not too different from the clouds we see in the
sky.

To make it rain, you need to hold a cold object (such as a metal spoon or a cold
cookie sheet) in the way of the water vapor. (Have your parents help you here;
steam is very hot and can burn you). The vapor will condense quickly and little
drops of water will form and fall. This is "rain"!

This experiment demonstrates what happens when clouds form and it rains,
although the process in nature is a more gradual one. It is the sun, heating water
in rivers, lakes, and the oceans that causes the rising vapor, rather than a stove.

 August 15
Predict the Weather by Watching Clouds

Weather prediction is certainly a science, and even the scientists don't always
have it right! Meteorologists (those who study the atmosphere) take into account
many factors when making weather predictions. They know that air temperature
and pressure and humidity play a part in determining the changes that will take
place. They use lots of fancy tools and instruments to help them, but they also
can tell a lot just by looking at the sky.

You can make some weather predictions yourself by looking at the clouds. Do
you see those wispy clouds high in the sky? Those are cirrus clouds, and they
are the first sign of an approaching warm front. A warm front brings moisture
(when the water vapor in the warm front collides with a mass of cold air, it
condenses), so rain or snow may be on the way. Stratus clouds are so thick that
they completely block the sun. The puffy cumulus clouds usually indicate fair
weather, especially when there is plenty of space between them. So don't worry
about rain when you are lying on the grass watching these clouds go by.

Fog is actually a low lying cloud, often forming at night.

 August 16
Read a Story or Poem about Clouds

Have you ever watched a story unfolding in the clouds? Some of these writers
have. Let your imagination soar when you stare at the clouds. What do you see?

The Cloud Mobile
May Swenson (poem)

Clouds, from "Mouse Tails"
Arnold Lobel (story)

Dragon Smoke
Lilian Moore (poem)

The Rain Cloud
Mary Rayner (story)

Small Cloud
Ariane (story)

 August 17
Slice a Hailstone in Half

You would expect the only precipitation in summer to be rain, wouldn't you?
Rain certainly is the most common thing to fall from clouds (except in the higher
elevations where it continues to snow), but have you ever been in a hailstorm?
Ouch!

Hailstones are formed in thunderclouds, where they start out as rain, but are
something else again by the time they hit the ground. The drops are hurled and
tossed about within the thunderclouds, and each is coated with many layers of
ice as it goes on this wild journey. Most hailstones are the size of small grapes,
but many become even larger -- as big as tennis balls, in some cases! As you can
imagine, hailstones can be very destructive. Fields of crops can be flattened
within minutes. Even cars can get dented!

If you can get a hailstone without endangering yourself, bring it indoors and slice
it in half with a sharp knife (have your parents help you). Can you see the
layers?

 August 18
Look for the Trails Made by Jets

Have you ever looked into the sky and noticed a long white cloud arching across
the sky? Is it really a cloud? Well, yes and no. What you are seeing is a trail left
by a jet-propelled airplane (sometimes it is so high up that you can't even see the
plane). Pilots prefer to fly in a part of the sky known as the stratosphere, which
is from 5 to 11 miles above the earth, above the clouds and winds. The moisture
from their engines condenses, forming clouds of fine ice crystal that slowly
dissolve. They are man-made clouds, certainly, but clouds nonetheless!

 August 19
Get to Know some Rocks and Minerals

The terms "rocks and minerals" are so often lumped together, have you ever
wondered what the difference is? Minerals come first, actually. They are either
elements or chemical compounds that are found naturally on earth. More than
1,500 minerals have been identified, although only about 150 are considered
common or widespread. Minerals are a diverse group, and include such members
as common table salt, graphite (used in pencils), gold, and diamonds.

Rocks, on the other hand, are the solids that are composed of one of more
minerals. Aha! To confuse things slightly, rocks are further classified by how
they were formed. The three categories are "igneous" (rock that was formed
when hot, molten materials cooled), "sedimentary" (rock created by settling
particles), and "metamorphic" (rock that underwent change with intense heat
and/or pressure). Take limestone, for instance. This is a sedimentary rock made
up chiefly of the mineral calcite. However, under pressure this can become
marble, a very different looking and feeling rock, but one composed of an
identical mineral.

Coal is a rock that formed when huge fern-like plants decayed millions of years
ago and were pressurized. Petroleum is mainly of animal origin -- in this case
single celled marine animals.

 August 20
Name Some Things Made from Minerals

Did you know that an entire period in the early history of man was known as the
Stone Age? This was a time when tools and weapons were made from rock. The
Bronze and Iron Ages followed, when more sophisticated uses for minerals,
especially those we call metals, were found. In modern times we rely heavily on
minerals, from gold (the standard of world currency) to granite (a stone that is
used for building).

As you go about your day, note how minerals play a part in everyday life. Your
house might he constructed of stone, or brick, or concrete block, in whole or in
part, not to mention the glass in windows and various other metals used both
structurally and for decorative purposes. Most likely you will cook and eat your
meals in either metallic or pottery containers, seasoning with salt, perhaps.

During the course of the day, you may ride in a car, watch television, write with
a pencil, read a book by lamp light. Minerals play an important role in all of these
activities. Try to imagine how your life would be without the many minerals we
make use of each day.

 August 21
Examine a Gem

Do you remember Dorothy's ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz? They were
endowed with fabulous magical powers. Is there anything truly magical about
gemstones (or gems, for short)?

Gems are simply minerals with ornamental value. Current fashion dictates what a
gem is worth, although each kind possesses certain inherent characteristics.
Hardness and durability, color (and sometimes transparency), and rarity are all
taken into account when evaluating gemstones. Some, like rubies, emeralds, and
sapphires are considered precious; others, such as garnets and amethysts are
semiprecious. The two terms don't mean anything scientifically.

Take a close look at some gems. Does your mother have a diamond engagement
ring, perhaps, or an heirloom brooch set with her birthstone? Have you ever seen
the jewelry made by the Indians of the southwest? They favor turquoise, which
is polished into rounded cabochons (rather than cut into facets) and set in silver.
Some gems, such as opals, have "fire" in them; colorful specks that glimmer.
Some even have star shapes that reflect light. Ask a friendly jeweler to show you
some of the beautiful gems she has for sale, too.

Assigning each month a birthstone dates back thousands of years. (Actually, each
astrological sign had its own birthstone originally).

Which is your birthstone?
January Garnet
February Amethyst
March Bloodstone
April Diamond
May Emerald
June Pearl (the only organic choice)
July Ruby
August Sardonyx
September Sapphire
October Opal
November Topaz
December Turquoise

 August 22
Hunt for Fossils

Dinosaurs may come to mind when you think of fossils, but they are only one
example of the remains of animals and plants that have been preserved over the
years (billions of years, in some cases). The frozen carcasses of woolly
mammoths are also fossils, as is amber, a glassy substance that once was the
resin of now extinct coniferous trees.

Have you ever found any fossils?

If you live near an area that has a lot of sedimentary rock, such as shale,
limestone, or sandstone, you have a good chance of coming across some fossils.
Ammonites and trilobites are fairly common. These sea creatures were turned to
stone, as it were, when their bodies were covered with sediment in the bottom of
the sea. Over millions of years, minerals gradually took the place of organic
matter, and their shapes were preserved in the stone.

Remember that much of the earth was formerly covered by water, so you don't
need to hunt near the shore to find fossilized sea creatures. Look for fossils in
quarries (get permission to do this), or where roads have recently been blasted
through bedrock. And be on the lookout for the imprints of plants and other flat
objects. Happy hunting!

August 23
See How the Earth's Face is Changing

We use the term "as hard as rock," but we tend to forget that rocks undergo
change. Softer stones are subject to erosion by wind and water, and even harder
rocks wear away. Quick changes take place when there are earthquakes and
volcanoes.

Did you know that more than million earthquakes occur worldwide each year?
(We can only feel a few thousand of them, and only an average of 15 or so each
year are significant). The earth's crust is not a continuous layer of rock, but is
broken into large areas known as plates, that are continually shifting and jostling
one another. Most earthquakes occur when there is an abrupt shift in the earth's
plates.

Most volcanoes occur in the same areas where there are earthquakes. The
colliding plates sometimes create an opening from which magma, or molten (hot,
liquid) rock, is released from deep within the earth. You may never see a
volcano in action, but there are plenty of remnants of volcanic explosions. There
are crater lakes (bodies of water that collect in the depressions left by volcanoes)
and volcanic necks (lava plugs left standing long after the elements erased the
volcano itself).

 August 24
Read a Story or Poem about Rocks

Scientists, naturalists, and artisans aren't the only ones who feel strongly about
rocks. Here are some solid pieces about rocks you will enjoy reading.

All Upon a Stone
Jean Craighead George (story)

The Mountain That Loved a Bird
Alice McLerran (story)

Old Stones
Elizabeth Coatsworth (poem)

Rolling Stones
Aileen Fisher (poem)

Skipper Stones
Aileen Fisher (poem)

 August 25
Look for Rock Formations

Whenever you are in the car, keep an eye out for unusual rock formations. You
can literally drive through bedrock -- that is when you are driving on a road that
has been blasted through a hillside. Although the crust of the earth is 3 to 22
miles thick, the folds and configurations you see from the road can give you an
idea of what lays beneath our feet.

In some parts of the country you will see huge boulders plunked down in the
middle of meadows. These we know were swept along by glaciers plowing their
way through valleys. Out west there are carved "bridges" and spire of rock that
have been eroded by wind and water. Even mountains offer clues to their
formation. Some are jagged arrangements known as fault block mountains.
Others resemble giant wavelike folds that run parallel to one another. Some
mountains are actually volcanoes, extinct in many cases, active in others.

 August 26
Visit a Rock Shop

What can you expect to find in a rock shop? Just about anything your heart
desires if you are a rock hound. If you'd like to get started collecting rocks and
minerals, a rock shop is a good place to begin. Look at all the samples that are on
display and for sale. You'll notice that most are very small. You should keep this
in mind when you are collecting your own samples. Rocks may seem plentiful,
but you should take only what you need.

You'll find tools for collecting (all of which can be substituted with tools you may
already have at home), field guides, and ideas for displaying your finds. The nice
thing about rock shops is that so much is out in the open for you to touch. Don't
be afraid to ask the shop owners any questions you have. Rock and mineral
enthusiasts are always happy to make new friends!

 August 27
Start a Rock Collection

A rock collection can be anything you want it to be. You might choose to limit
your collection to rocks found in your area, or in your state, or you might want
to extend your horizons and add rocks from far-off places.

When you are off on a rock expedition, don't forget to pack a hammer, a chisel,
and protection for yourself (gloves and goggles -- you can even use a diving
mask or swimming goggles). Take along some tape, a pen, and a notebook. It is
best to mark your specimens on the spot with a bit of tape, giving each an
identification number that can be matched to information that you enter into the
notebook -- such as where and when the specimen was found. Wrap crumbly
rock (or delicate samples such as fossils) in newspaper. Remember to take only
the smallest bits of rock.

The tops of shoe boxes make excellent display cases. Just glue the rocks in place
and label them. Or put them to use, much as you did pebbles from the beach. If
your specific collection lacks a sample or two, perhaps you can purchase the
missing pieces from your local rock shop or one of the science suppliers.

 August 28
Dig a Hole in the Ground

While turning over some soil in the garden in the spring, you may have noticed
how the soil was layered (differing in color and in texture). Dig a hole now, in a
place that will present no danger to people or pets, and look closely at the layers.
Uppermost is the topsoil, the darkest layer of soil, which usually contains plenty
of organic matter (especially if it is rich and fertile). The depth of this layer can
range from a few inches to six feet.

The second layer, known as subsoil, is lighter in color and contains little organic
material, but it plays an important role in drainage. (Fertile soil that is
waterlogged can only sustain certain types of plants).

Beneath this is what is called the parent material or matter, consisting mostly of
broken rock. The final and lowest layer is the bedrock.

How deep were each of the layers you uncovered? What kind of plants do you
think will grow best on this soil?

 August 29
Visit a Quarry or Mine

The region that you live in may have rock quarries where huge stones are cut
from hillsides, or you may know of minerals deposits that are mined. Quarries
and mines that are in current use are not always open to the public, but some
are, so ask if you can visit. Modern machinery bears some of the burden of
cutting, lifting, and moving the vast quantities of rock that are quarried from the
earth. do you remember how the pyramids were built, with only human muscle
power?

Your area might also boast some natural attractions such as caves, or trails
through unusual rock formations. There are more than 140 cave sites open to the
public in the United States; in fact, the world's longest cave system is in this
country. Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky, has 200 miles of passageways!

If you ever come across what you think is a cave, do not enter it on your own.
Spelunking (as the hobby of exploring caves is called) is a potentially dangerous
activity, and one that requires certain skills and equipment.

Some caves have magnificent structures rising from the floor or hanging
overhead. Stalagmites form on cave floors, stalactites "drip" from ceilings. To
remember which is which, think of stalactites holding "tight" to the ceiling.

 August 30
Make Some Rock Candy

(Go to KIDS RECIPES on this site for the recipe for rock candy, or read it
below).

What snack might you take with you when you go rock hunting? Rock candy, of
course!

Did you know that you could make your own rock candy (or candy crystals, as
they are sometimes known)?

Pour half a cup of water into a saucepan, and bring it to a boil.

Add about a cup of sugar to the water, spoonful by spoonful, stirring so that the
sugar completely dissolves.

Keep adding the sugar until it is a clear syrup.

Take care that the syrup doesn't boil over (have your parents help you, in any
case, at the stove).

Let the syrup cool for about ten minutes before carefully pouring it into a glass
that has a weighted string hanging in it. (Tie a paper clip to the string for a
weight).

This part was easy. Waiting for the crystals to form might be harder.

It will take about a week before there are crystals forming along the string.

Check the glass every day, and carefully break the crust that forms on the top of
the syrup, to allow evaporation to continue. The less the solution is disturbed the
better the crystal formation will be. Yum!

 August 31
Make Rock Rubbings

Rocks have all sorts of interesting surface textures, and you can make rock
rubbings the same way you rubbed tree bark. This is a handy way to record
something about those large rocks that you just can't bring home with you. You
might want to include some rock rubbings in your rock collection.

A profile of the rocks in your state, for instance, might include small specimens
of various rocks, rock rubbings, photographs of local rocks used in architecture
or sculptures, and relevant statistics.

Or create some art for art's sake: A collage made from rock rubbings makes an
interesting abstract piece of art. Something the Flintstones might hang in their
living room!
______________________________________________________

In 1975 someone with a sense of humor marketed an item known as the Pet
Rock®. More than 1.2 million rocks were sold for $4.00 a piece (the rocks came
with an Owner's Manual), and were said to be the perfect pet.
________________________________________________________

 Earth Works

Did you know that pottery fragments have been found that are 9,000 years old?

Prehistoric peoples discovered that clay could be shaped when wet, yet it would
harden when it dried (or, better still, was baked at high temperatures). Have you
ever made anything from clay?

If you have a clay deposit near your home, you can dig up some free clay.
(Otherwise pick up some at a craft or hobby shop).

Roll long, thin ropes of clay to coil into jars. Or roll it out into thick slabs that can
be joined together at the seams (just wet the clay at those points). Clay can be
imprinted with all sorts of objects. Use your own fingers to pinch and poke the
wet clay; or press shells and fleshy leaves into the clay for some designs from
nature.

Note: Your clay will harden at room temperature, but it will never be waterproof.
You can seal it with acrylic paints, if you'd like your pieces to hold water.