The 58th Annual Shenandoah Valley Gems, Minerals and Jewelry Show was held at the Augusta Expo Center in Fishersville Virginia, September 18-20, 2026. Since I moved to retire outside of Charlottesville, Virginia last year, I asked the Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society if I could exhibit in their education room at the show. They eagerly agreed. There were 45 vendors plus a few exhibits by rock club volunteers. Over the 3 days, there were 2525 attendees, counting paid ticket entries, free entries, vendors and club volunteers, children 12 and under were admitted for free (not counted). GSH outreach sent me a file for “A Roadmap to Careers in Earth Science” poster and I had it printed locally. A geophone was plugged into a laptop and I asked them to knock on the table and watch the screen where the wave was displayed. I used a cut-away geophone to explain how it worked. I demonstrated sound wave motion using a coiled toy spring and showed them examples of seismic lines. Most students took interest in a box of rock samples (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary). I had them drop the pumice sample into a cup of water and they were all surprised that it floated. I played the “Earth is calling … will you answer?” video to a middle school girl who was particularly interested in a future career in geoscience after she brought her family back to the booth for a second visit to learn more. I gave her mother a list of links to online resources. Her deep interest and that of several other children made all the work of exhibiting at the show worthwhile!

In addition to school children, families and the general public, I also spoke to about 6 students and 1 geology professor from nearby James Madison University. Most of the students were interested in careers in mining. Their geology program offers a minor in geophysics. I told them about the SEG EVOLVE program where they could get hands-on interpretation experience and they were very interested.

Photos credit: Cindy Schroer