Thursday, 12 December, 2024 / Edition 37

It’s that time of year again for many of us… Time to do your Holiday Geo-Shopping!

Sharon Lyon

Editor, GeoLifestyle

Holiday Geo-Shopping at your Local Rock Shop

The flume in the GTC Rock Shop, Science Education Center & Museum; Courtesy of Tom Cummins.

Who on your list would love a beautiful mineral or fossil specimen? Or an even better question: Who wouldn’t?! Also, by making purchases from your favorite local rock and mineral retailer, you may be supporting geoscience education.

I love to peruse the shelves at the GTC Rock Shop, Science Education Center & Museum in Frederick, Maryland. As the name implies, it’s much more than a shop. I had the opportunity to interview Tom Cummins, founder and president of GTC, which stands for Geologic Time Corp.

Q: GTC is more than just a Rock Shop. Can you explain some of the programs you provide in the Science Center?

A: All of the sales at GTC Rock Shop help support our mission of inspiring kids of all ages in the sciences. The GTC Science Education Center & Museum is currently 100-percent funded by the shop: We use all the profits from GTC Rock Shop to fund and subsidize the educational programs that we offer. While we specialize in geoscience education, we’ve begun branching out into other science disciplines as well, including biology, chemistry, and space science.

Q: Do you go out into the community to provide programs, too?

A: While we strongly encourage coming to our facilities for the best possible experiences, we do run programs and activities at libraries, festivals/fairs, schools, nature centers, youth groups, and much more. Every program and activity we offer involves hands-on learning experiences with educational elements specifically designed to be so engaging and entertaining!

Q: What types of specimens do you supply for your Rock Shop?

A: GTC Rock Shop is one of the largest rock shops on the East Coast, and we inventory rocks, fossils, and minerals from over 50 different countries and every continent except Antarctica (and we’re working on that)! We endeavor to have specimens available at a wide variety of price points so that everyone from the beginner to the experienced collector can find something that excites them.

Q: How can scientists help with your mission?

A: We’re always looking for people who are willing to share their passion and knowledge by giving talks in their area of expertise, and we welcome the help of scientists in the development of new educational programs, research projects for and with local colleges and schools, and so much more.

Why it matters: Cummins concludes, “To everyone who is shopping locally this holiday season, we are so thankful for your support. GTC and most rock shops are small businesses that need your support to continue to operate. They are labors of love that rely on sales, particularly around the holidays, to stay open.”

If you’re in the Maryland area, make sure to give GTC a look, and if you haven’t found a favorite shop in your area, your local geological society or university may be able to recommend one. Ask around!

A message from AAPG and AAPG Foundation

The 2024–25 AAPG Distinguished Lecture program welcomes Lesli Wood, the Robert J. Weimer Distinguished Professor of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology at Colorado School of Mines and associate department head in geology and geological engineering. Wood will present her talk on 19 December at 12 p.m. (CST). Q&A session to follow.

Gifts For the Minimalist and the Hard-to-Buy-For

IV Olga_Shutterstock.com

For the minimalist on your list, or those who have requested an “experience” rather than “stuff,” consider:

• A membership to your favorite science museum. Supporting your local science museum enables the exhibits and educational programs to enrich the community in which you live.

• A ticket to a geoscience-focused field trip, conference, webinar, or workshop you know they’d love to attend. AAPG has several options around the world coming in the new year.

• A National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass. For those in the United States, this pass covers the entrance fees and day-use fees at any federal reserve area, including national parks. This makes it easy for avid hikers or explorers to visit their favorite park multiple times throughout the year and/or explore new parks across the country.

For the Geo-Bookworm

Some of my favorite books for geos. 

I’ve featured books in GeoLifestyle, all of which I’ve read and loved. Here are a few other reading suggestions:

• Check out Mountain Press Publishing Company for these series: Roadside Geology, Roadside History, Geology Underfoot, and Geology Rocks! The company also publishes children’s and young adult books: the Bold Women in History series for young adults caught my eye. (Note: Some of these series have recently been acquired by the Geological Society of America, but they are currently available on the Mountain Press website).

• Speaking of GSA, visit their store for field guides, memoirs, maps, and charts. I recommend their Enduring Wonders 2025 Calendar, which reminds you of dates of significant past geologic events.

• For the traveler, consider AAPG’s Geological Highway Maps, available in digital or print form.

• Lastly, if you can forgive a bit of self-promotion, I’m excited to announce that my second novel, Fossil Thief, is now available as an audiobook! If you would like one, email me at editorial@aapg.org, and I’ll send the first 20 responders a free code (Note the codes only work in the U.S. and the U.K.)

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✉️ To get in touch with Sharon, send an email to editorial@aapg.org.