Rock Box

Classroom Education Program: Our current focus is building and distributing Rock Boxes for each school in our county, approximately 250-300 in number.  The Rock Boxes have solid construction for 30 years of classroom use.

The goal of the Rock Box is to teach and get students interested in Earth Science.  The Rock Box consists of three different trays that represent the three rock types: Sedimentary, Metamorphic and Igneous.  Each tray has 12 compartments for samples. The Rock Box weighs about 37 pounds filled and complete.  It can be separated into three trays for easier transportation or if the instructor wants only one rock type displayed at a time.

The rock samples are among the most common rocks in their classification. They are fist sized specimens, large enough for the kids to see what the rock actually looks like.

We have a 150 page Teacher's Guidebook filled with suggested classroom activities for different grade levels along with 10 information sheets with each kit.

We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our schools and teachers for this project.  We have already received requests for additional boxes from the schools. Other organizations (Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.) have expressed interest.  In response, we have given the Ventura County Library System a Rock Box for qualified educators to check out.  The Library has also assembled grade level books to include with the Rock Box checkout.  Teachers, Home Schoolers, Boys and Girl Scouts, and other groups can contact your local Ventura County Library to arrange checkout of a Rock Box.

We are already getting feedback from our teachers to add a supplementary box of related material.  We are also looking into adding a local fossil box to be added into the library system.

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Rock Box Creation

Virtual Rock Box