ABOUT THE “FUTURE ROCKHOUNDS of AMERICA” (FRA) PROGRAM
The goal of the FRA program is to provide Rockhound clubs with ideas, activities and structure to ensure “junior” members are fully engaged in learning about and enjoying rocks, minerals, fossils and many other aspects of the Earth Sciences. The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies www.amfed.org/fra/fra_badge.htm created a badge program focusing on the above topics.
The program currently consists of 15 badges, each with 5 or 6 activities. FRA members must complete 3 of the activities associated with a badge to earn that badge. When a member earns “6” badges, they are awarded the elite designation of “Rockhound.”
The Gem, Lapidary & Mineral Society of Montgomery County (GLMSMC) www.glmsmc.com of Maryland, USA was concerned that the junior members were not learning so the club launched the FRA program. There are currently 20 members who regularly attend the monthly meetings and actively participate in the club’s annual show in March. The club now has 2 groups divided by age: 5 – 9 year old and the 10 – 15 year old age groups. Each group has instruction and activities geared to the age group. Club members with areas of expertise volunteer to be guest instructors at FRA meetings.
Badges currently offered:
Rocks and minerals * Earth Sciences Fossils
Lapidary Arts Collecting Showmanship
Communication Field Trips Leadership
Earth Processes Earth in Space Gold Panning & Prospecting
Gemstone Lore & Legend Stone Age Tools 7 Art Rocking on the Computer
· Learn the characteristics of minerals
· Make and use a mineral ID kit
· Build a mineral collection
·
Know t
he three rock types
· Crystal shapes
Holly McNeil is the program director for the GLMSMC 10-15 year age group. When Holly asked Patrick Haynes and myself about doing a “micromounting” demonstration, we did not hesitate to agree. We are both very impressed with the program. Holly has also mentioned that she has enjoyed watching the personal growth of each and every member of the 10-15 year age group.
Jim Kostka supplied the "two-headed" teaching microscope for my use that evening. Rodnei Towers brought his microscope into the room for the FRA members also. I thank Rodney Lee for agreeing with my request to supply each member with specimens, mounting boxes, mineral tack and labels. Patrick Haynes supplied Hemimorphite and Fluorite - Blue Bell Mine for mounting that evening. Jim Kostka supplied numerous specimens and hand lenses for the FRA members.
Other specimens made available for the FRA through Simkev Micromounts by Jean-Vincent Coureau (France), Paul Nicholson (England) and Kent England (USA).
Holly McNeil - program co-ordinator
Certificate of Achievement Award for Cassie "Rockhound"
Photos
by Wendell Mohr (GLMSMC)
Patrick and Ryan
Maureen and Abbie
Elena
Jonathan
Jennifer
Kevin
The boys
The girls
THE ROGUES' GALLERY
Jennifer
Elena
Jonathan
Ryan
Kevin
Trevor
Abbie
Cooper