Katy Rock Shop – Earth Science Classes (Spring 2026)

Katy Rock Shop is offering Earth Science Classes through Spring 2026.
The February 2026 theme for Rockhounds (13-adult) is:
“Lapidary Skills and Techniques” — offered only once this semester.

February Classes

🪨 Rockhounds (Ages 13–Adult) – February 19: bring your own rocks or chose one of ours :)!

• Tumble rocks by hardness to see erosion in “fast-forward.”
• Polish the face of a cut rock using a reciprocating flat lap.
• How to cut rocks with a slab and trim saw.

Class Times

• Class 1: 6:00pm-730pm (17 seats available, 3 are booked)

Registration

• Please pay for your group before the event to secure your spot.
• Include your names, and confirmation everyone is 13 years old or older in the payment notes.
• Seats are limited — book early!
• Advanced students may progress through multiple sessions during the month.

Discounts for Groups

Share with your COOP, friends, or Facebook groups to receive discounts:

• 1 person = $40
• 2–5 people = $38
• 6–10 people = $36
• 11+ people = $34

Private classes or events are available with 15+ participants. These can be scheduled on any day or time.

Other Field Trip Classes 🌍

We currently offer three Earth Science classes for teenagers and adults:

1. The Rock Cycle (1st Thursday)

Students will:

• Use magnifying glasses to observe rock grains and textures.
• Relate observations to the three major rock groups.
• Practice critical skills: gravity, buoyancy, observation, deductive reasoning, and identification of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.

2. Hardness Testing with Moh’s Scale (2nd Thursday)

Students will:

• Learn Moh’s Hardness and Streak testing.
• Safely test rocks at home or in the field.
• Practice skills: rock vs. mineral, atoms, bonds, density, hardness, streak, observation, and deductive reasoning.
• Review the rock cycle, gravity, buoyancy, atoms, bonds, and density to understand hardness.

3. Fossils & Lithification (3rd Thursday)

Students will:

• Explore fossil types (molds, casts).
• Learn how layers deposit in rivers/oceans and how fossils are preserved through lithification and cementation.
• Run three experiments:
  1. Create fossil molds.
  2. Observe sedimentary layer stratification through particle settling velocity.
  3. Watch mineral crystallization sped up for easy observation.
• Mine for fossils using the sluice!

👉 We recommend starting with The Rock Cycle, since those skills are used in later classes.