Break Open a Geode at the American Chemical Society Booth at Celebrate Science Indiana on Saturday, October 14

At Celebrate Science Indiana on Saturday, October 14, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Exposition Hall, the American Chemical Society (ACS) booth volunteers will be helping visitors break open small geodes and take them home with them.

Geodes are hollow rock formations that contain beautiful crystals inside formed through various geological processes over millions of years. The geodes for this activity are MOROCCAN GEODES with sizes ranging from 1-1.5 inches. 90% are hollow with crystals and a few may be solid with quartz or calcite inside. In researching geodes, the photos of some have an array of colors that reveal spectacular crystal formations. Iron will give crystals a red or purple color, titanium will create blue, nickel or chromium leads to green, and manganese produces pink crystals.

Since our theme includes innovation and invention, I learned the following related to geodes.

• Geological Imaging Technology: Advanced geological imaging techniques, such as 3D scanning and imaging technologies like X-ray computed tomography (CT), have allowed scientists to non-invasively examine the interior of geodes This helps in understanding their internal structures and crystal formations.
• Geode Mining Techniques: Innovations in mining and extraction methods have made it more efficient to locate and extract geodes from underground deposits. Modern machinery and geological surveys aid in identifying geode-rich areas.
• Geode Preservation and Enhancement: Scientists and collectors have developed methods to preserve the natural beauty of geodes and enhance their appearance. Techniques include cleaning, polishing, and coating to protect and showcase the crystals.
• Geode Art and Jewelry: Creative artists and jewelers have incorporated geodes into their designs, resulting in unique and aesthetically pleasing jewelry, sculptures, and decorative items.

Regardless of the activities, year after year at Celebrate Science Indiana, it seems like the activities selected by all the exhibitors are very engaging and appeal to a large range of interests. In addition to personally enjoying the various experiences and learning something new year after year, I’ve witnessed many other adults enjoy the various booths including 3 National ACS Presidents and the Mayor of Indianapolis! Thanks for all of your hard work and creativity to keep this festival so much fun for all.

Linda V. Osborn
ACS Fellow | Executive Consultant
Heritage Research Group