Schedule & Session Descriptions

The 2022 APEGA Rock & Fossil Clinic has concluded.

Join us again in 2023 to learn more about the wonders of geoscience and what a career in the profession could look like.

9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. MDT

Sign-in and welcome address (virtual)

9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Geoscience Game Show (Virtual)

Get ready for a rockin' good time with geoscience!

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. 

Break

    10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. -  In-Person Geoscience Experiences at Partner Locations in Medicine Hat

     

  • Join the MH Interpretive Program for two in-person talks focusing on Medicine Hat's amazing natural history. The first will be presented by Rene Barendregt, a professor of geology at the University of Lethbridge, and focuses on Pleistocene fossil deposits, climates, and stories from the fieldwork that uncovered Canada's only Smilodon Fatalis fossil. The second talk will feature the amazing story of Alberta's most famous self-taught palaeontologist, Hope Johnson, and how she helped kick-start the province's fascination with our prehistoric past.

    Time 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    The Nature Centre at Police Point Park

    1001 Police Point Drive

    Medicine Hat, AB

11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Virtual Breakout Sessions

 

  • We'll be digging deep into the critical role rock formations, rock types, and Earth's surface play in the energy sector, and why that is so important for Alberta.

    Ages 6-13

  • Time to get up close…to paleontology! Explore the process of fossilization and the differences between the types of fossils. Take a look behind the scenes to follow the journey of a fossil from its discovery and excavation in the field to its preparation at the Museum. The program concludes with an interactive Q&A period where we use images, videos, and real fossils to complement our responses.

    All Ages

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Lunch Break

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - In-Person Geoscience Experiences at Partner Locations in Edmonton

  • Trilobites, fish, dinosaurs, petrified wood, and more! View and touch some of the more than one million fossils used for teaching and research. A volunteer will be available to answer questions. Image-based scavenger hunts will be available.

    Time12:00 - 4:00 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Earth Sciences Building, Basement Room B-01

    University of Alberta

    Edmonton, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 30-minute time-slot during this time frame. 

    This is a GeoHunt stop!

  • Experts from the Edmonton Geological Society and the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alberta will do their best to identify up to five of the specimens in your mineral, rock, and fossil collections using simple tests. Learn about the exciting activities offered by the Edmonton Geological Society and how you can become a member.

    Time12:00 - 4:00 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Earth Sciences Building, Room 1-31

    University of Alberta

    Edmonton, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 15-minute time-slot during this time frame.

    This is a GeoHunt stop! 

  • Come for a tour of the Lab of Paleomagnetism and Petromagnetism at the University of Alberta. You'll learn about Earth's magnetic field, rock and soil samples, and magnetism equipment.

    Time12:00 - 4:00 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAges 12+
    Location

    L2-097, CCIS Building

    University of Alberta

    Edmonton, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 20-minute time-slot during this time frame. 

    This is a GeoHunt stop! 

  • Many people in Alberta get their water from underground, usually by drilling a well into an aquifer. But, what is an aquifer? How does water move through the soil and rock beneath our feet? In this workshop you will make your own aquifer in a cup, pump your own well, and find out why groundwater is an important part of the water cycle.

    Time12:30 - 3:15 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAges 5-13
    Location

    Room 2-05, Earth Sciences Building

    University of Alberta

    Edmonton, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 30-minute time-slot during this time frame. 

    This is a GeoHunt stop! 

  • Earthquakes are the sudden motion of the ground caused by the rapid release of energy in the earth's crust. Although uncommon, earthquakes are not absent from Alberta. In this session, you will learn how earthquakes are generated, what to do during an earthquake, and how common earthquakes are in Alberta and Canada.

    Time1:00 - 3:45 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAges 11+
    Location

    Room 2-11, Earth Sciences Building

    University of Alberta

    Edmonton, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 30-minute time-slot during this time frame. 

    This is a GeoHunt stop! 

  • Minerals, rocks, and meteorites. See over 2500 spectacular specimens from around the world and beyond. Touch a rock from outer space! A volunteer will be available to answer questions. Image-based scavenger hunts will be available.

    Time12:00 - 4:00 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Earth Sciences Building, Basement Room B-08

    University of Alberta

    Edmonton, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 30-minute time-slot during this time frame. 

    This is a GeoHunt stop!

  • Drop in to learn all about the fascinating rocks, minerals, and fossils from Royal Alberta Museum's Learning Collection.

    Visitors will have the opportunity to view and handle real specimens, and engage in a fun and educational conversation with the museum staff.

    Time1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Royal Alberta Museum

    9810 103a Avenue NW

    Edmonton, AB

  • Get outdoors and explore Edmonton’s incredible geology with this digital scavenger hunt! 

    TimeAnytime between October 1-9
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Various locations across Edmonton

    How to Join

    Join the scavenger hunt by downloading the free Goosechase app

    Game Code: ZM957K

    12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -  In-Person Geoscience Experiences at Partner Locations in Canmore

  • Come visit the main exhibit gallery, where a local geologist will be sharing the geologic history of Canmore.

    Time12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Canmore Museum

    902 7 Ave

    Canmore, AB

  • Come visit the Canadian Rockies Earth Science Resource Centre to view displays regarding the geology of the mountains in the vicinity of Canmore and learn how oil and natural gas is found. In addition to our normal displays, we will have a number of tables of rocks and fossils on display for interaction with Gus and Greg, long-retired well-site geologists.

    Time12:00 - 5:00 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAges 12+
    Location

    Canadian Rockies Earth Science Resource Centre

    Unit 111 - 829 10th Street

    Canmore, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 30-minute time-slot during this time frame. 

12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. -  In-Person Geoscience Experiences at Partner Locations in Medicine Hat

  • MH Interpretive Program is hosting a geology-focused interpretive walk in Echo Dale Park near the city of Medicine Hat. This is a scenic location where both the Pleistocene and Cretaceous stratigraphy can be viewed. 

    Time12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Echo Dale Park

    1001 Echodale Road

    Medicine Hat, AB

    1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. -  In-Person Geoscience Experiences at Partner Locations in Crowsnest Pass

  • This hands-on program investigates the sedimentary rocks that make up Turtle Mountain and how they contributed to the fall. Student will get a chance to examine rock samples and make crafts.

    Time1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
    Target AudienceAges 5-10
    Location

    Frank Slide Interpretive Centre

    1.5 km off Highway 3

    Crowsnest Pass, AB

    1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -  In-Person Geoscience Experiences at Partner Locations in Calgary

  • Join Earth Science for Society at the Central Library in downtown Calgary. Explore rocks, minerals and Earth’s oceans, make an earthquake, identify and classify trilobite fossils, and investigate space travel.

    Time1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    Central Library

    800 3 Street SE

    Calgary, AB

  • David Moore, M.Sc. will be answering all of your geoscience questions and sharing stories about the Burgess Shale at TELUS Spark! 

    David Moore’s lifelong fascination with paleontology and evolution began at an early age – as a child, he collected rocks and fossils in eastern Canada. After several years pursuing a career far removed from the rocks, David returned to his first love, moving to Alberta to study geology at the University of Calgary. While undertaking his M.Sc. in geology, he began guiding for the Foundation – that was back in 1996. Working for several energy companies in Calgary, David has enjoyed a successful career exploring for unconventional gas in Canada and around the world. He has taught popular courses on unconventional gas in Canada, has presented at numerous technical conferences and has lectured on Earth and Life History to general audiences. His engaging style and sense of humor have introduced many people to the wonders of geology, paleontology and to scientific exploration. David is a certified Interpretive Guide with the Interpretive Guides Association. David Moore is also a member of the Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation Board of Directors.

    Time1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
    Target AudienceAll Ages
    Location

    TELUS Spark

    220 St George's Dr NE

    Calgary, AB

  • The Rock Doc will prepare a demo for attendees to learn about the rock cycle, common minerals, tectonic plates, volcanoes, and how Alberta became a Dinosaur Haven. The presentation will include fire displays and a large explosion of elephant toothpaste.  

    Time1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
    Target AudienceAges 5-13
    Location

    Inspiration Stage at TELUS Spark

    220 St George's Dr NE

    Calgary, AB

  • Volunteers from the Department of Geoscience at the University of Calgary will demonstrate the use of a table-top SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) for characterization of geologic minerals. The session will outline the principles of SEM, and its capability for characterizing materials. Participants may bring a small mineral, rock, or fossil sample to scan, and will be able to take home a high-resolution image of their sample created by scanning electron microscope. 

    Time1:00 - 4:00 p.m.*
    Target AudienceAges 7+
    Location

    Earth Science Building

    (Meet in front of ES 136)

    University of Calgary

    Calgary, AB

    *This is a timed offering. During the registration process you will be asked to register for a 45-minute time-slot during this time frame. 

    This is a GeoHunt stop! 

  • Attendees will participate in three activities:

    • Rock Identification (bring your favourite rock!)
    • Panning for Pyrite
    • Fossil Examination and Classification.

    The event may also include a tour of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

    Time2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Target AudienceAges 5-13
    Location

    Mount Royal University

    4825 Mount Royal Gate SW

    Calgary, AB