OCR Text |
Show Students Join Rock Work Skill Classes "Mexican Crazy Lace" provided the medium as eighth graders from Panguitch Middle School tried their hand at lapidary skills Tuesday morning. Mexican Crazy Lace agate about the size of a. grapefruit was sawed into slabs by Color Country Gem and Mineral Society president Bill Niebel to provide the youngsters with, a hands-on . experience of working with real gems tones. A template was used for a pattern and outlined with an aluminum pencil before cutting .The piece was placed on a "dop" stick with wax to hold it in place as Niebel demonstrated the technique with the youngsters helping. He was impressed with the at- tentiveness of the students and the eager way in which they participated. Approximately 26 students participated in turning the rough 30 by 40 millimeter piece of the unusual agate from Old Mexico into a polished and beautiful "cabachon" worthy of mounting. Principal Earl Roe and teachers Delln Roundy and Janice -Tr Hatch accompanied the students who arrived in two groups, staggered to provide the best working arrangements. Students were excited as the tough stone was transformed into a valuable gemstcne before their eyes. Niebel said that he planned to hold a free drawing in which each student would have an opportunity to try to win the beautiful piece of Mexican Crazy Lace, suitable for a belt buckle or bolo tie decoration for a boy or a brooch or pendant for a girl. The Color Country Gem and Mineral Society maintains the fully-equipped workshop for the use of its members. The club has set as one of its goals endeavoring to interest young people in the earth sciences, with an introduction to rocks and minerals as one of the first steps. Interest was expressed by the teachers in helping to form a junior version of the Color Country Gem and Mineral Society to continue Tuesday's effort and excitement for the students involved. Niebel expects to visit classrooms in other schools where he will discuss the adventure of rock and mineral collection with students. Other gorups are expected to participate in similar experiences in the club workshop ' ! Students at Panguitch Middle School were given an opportunity this week to karn first hand what could be ac complished with proper training on lapidary equipment of the Color Country Gem and Mineral Society. |