Arts, Community, Park Forest, Schools

Fossil, Gem and Mineral Show Returns to Prairie State College


prairie state college, fossil, gem, mineral, jewelry
Prairie State College. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Chicago Heights, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Exhibits featuring fossils, crystals, jewelry, and fluorescent stones will be on display for the two-day Fossil, Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Saturday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 16. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in the Prairie Center Gym, located on the Prairie State College (PSC) main campus at 202 South Halsted in Chicago Heights.

This family-friendly event is free and offers educational opportunities for all ages, including special presentations by NASA Ambassador, Joel Knapper. Knapper will present about Pluto and NASA programs on both days. There also are opportunities for gem and fossil enthusiasts to meet the experts, get a close look at the latest finds, and learn about the geological history of the area. Exhibits will include fossils from Mazon Creek and Thornton Quarry, minerals, jewelry, lapidary, crystals, artifacts and Illinois meteorites. Handmade jewelry, precious stones, fossils, crystals and more will be available for purchase. Scouts also will have the opportunity to earn their geology badges.

“I am always amazed at the spectacular fossils and mineral specimens that are available at this show – everything from dinosaur bone to emeralds in one-of a kind settings,” said PSC Professor of Earth Science Lee Anne Burrough. “It’s a great place to get questions answered about a rock you found and provides a unique opportunity to add some spectacular fossils and rocks to your collection at really reasonable prices.”

The show is co-hosted by PSC’s Department of Natural Sciences and the South Suburban Earth Science Club.

For more information, contact Burrough at [email protected] or Jan Podbielski at [email protected].


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