Geology

Rocks rule! They’re found in our toothpaste, our roads, and even our cereal (in the form of iron). Kids curious about rocks will love this issue, which first takes them through the whole rock cycle – from igneous to sedimentary to metamorphic stages – then leads them right into the center of the Earth to learn about the different rocky layers. Next up: a look at what humans throughout history have done with rocks; for kids who like hearing about amazing feats, the building of the Great Pyramid (out of more than two million limestone blocks!) and the use of rocks in silicon chips that power our electronics are sure to entertain them. And let’s not forget about gemstones! From diamonds on down, kids will see how they’re made and how they’re found, discover their own birthstone, and take a look at famous rocks and gems in history.

And that’s not all there is to know about rocks: For kids interested in our planet’s history, a section on fossils explains just how important rocks are in helping us understand what it was like to be a jellyfish 500 million years ago. Then kids will blast off into space with information on meteorites and a look at theories about how one big impact may have spelled death to the dinosaurs.