Words and photographs: Kate Torrens and Gareth Jenkins 🦖🪨👻
WGCG’s October Ask a Geologist event at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry proved to be another enjoyable and successful day of public engagement, with a steady stream of visitors of all ages stopping by to explore Warwickshire’s geological heritage. We held this event to coincide with Earth Science Week, an international celebration that promotes public understanding of our planet and the vital role geoscience plays. Earth Science Week encourages people of all ages to discover more about geology, natural resources, environmental stewardship and Earth’s history.
Volunteers Kate Torrens, Peter Hawksworth and Gareth Jenkins staffed the stand throughout the day, answering questions and sharing a range of fossils, minerals, educational resources and tools of the trade. Visitors were encouraged to use all their senses to examine specimens, testing their weight and texture, using hand magnifiers and a microscope for a closer look, identifying smells, and even giving one salty specimen a taste!
With Halloween just around the corner, our display featured a spooky seasonal theme, including a couple of skeletons and friendly glowing ghosts. These additions proved particularly popular with younger visitors and those more darkly inclined, and helped spark discussions about fossils, extinction and Earth’s ancient past
Our offering included local and regional examples of geology, plus some special specimens from further afield, and geological maps and timelines that helped bring Earth’s history to life. Many visitors were fascinated by the fossil specimens on display and enjoyed hearing how geologists piece together evidence to reconstruct environments that existed hundreds of millions of years ago.
Each volunteer brought their own experience and enthusiasm to the day. Gareth shared stories from his career working deep underground and smashing rocks, giving young visitors the chance to try on some of his equipment and handle the tools he uses for his work. This offered a fascinating glimpse into what a career in geology can look like, with tools of trade sparking curiosity in future geologists and recollections of his adventures and discoveries fascinating many.
Peter took the unique opportunity to explore our surroundings of the Herbert itself, using a hand microscope to show visitors tiny fossils hidden within the building materials. It was a brilliant reminder that geology isn’t just something to be found in quarries or on field trips. Sometimes, fascinating evidence of Earth’s history is right in front of us!
Kate brought a slightly different perspective to the stand, chatting with visitors from all walks of life about what WGCG has to offer and how people can get involved. With a passion for encouraging new and varied members to join the group, she was keen to show that you don’t need to be a geologist or an expert to take part. Whether you enjoy collecting pebbles on the beach, have studied earth sciences in the past, or are already a well-read geo-enthusiast, there’s a place for you. These conversations led to plenty of newsletter sign-ups, including families with keen budding geologists who were encouraged to come along to upcoming lectures and field trips.
Indeed, one of the of the most rewarding aspects of the event was the enthusiasm shown by families and young people. Children eagerly examined specimens, asked thoughtful questions and shared their own fossil and dinosaur knowledge. Some visitors even brought along their own precious collections to show us and get help with identification. The hands-on approach once again demonstrated how geology can capture the imagination when people have the opportunity to explore specimens, share what they know and talk directly with practising geologists and experienced enthusiasts.
The day also offered opportunities to connect with other local interest groups and organisations wanting to connect with us and share our passion for local geological heritage. We met members of a cycling group who were interested in mapping routes that take in local areas of geological interest, as well as people from other local interest groups keen to collaborate. It’s exciting to think about how these connections could help us reach new audiences and encourage more people to discover the geology on their doorstep.
WGCG would like to thank the staff at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum for hosting us under Dippy the Dinosaur, and everyone who stopped by to ask questions, share stories and discover more about the hidden wonders in our homes and surroundings.
Details of future outreach activities, talks, field trips and Ask a Geologist events can be found on the WGCG Events pages. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors, budding geologists and curious minds to future Ask a Geologist sessions!