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Rock Reactions

Activity

Discover How Limestone Reacts to Vinegar

Find a small piece of limestone or chalk (a soft rock made of limestone). Take your rock and two cups, one of water and one of vinegar, outside. First, gently dip your limestone into the water and observe—does anything happen? Now, try dipping it into the vinegar. Listen closely! Do you hear fizzing? Why do you think vinegar caused a reaction, but water didn’t?
Ocean 4
Ocean 4 (3)
Ocean 4 (2)

Science Seed

Limestone, made mostly of calcium carbonate, plays a key role in oceanography because it forms in marine environments from the remains of sea creatures like coral and shells. Over time, these remains build up and harden into rock, creating limestone formations found on the seafloor or in ancient marine sediments now on land. In the ocean, slightly acidic water from dissolved carbon dioxide can slowly erode limestone, releasing calcium ions that marine organisms use to build shells and skeletons. This process helps regulate ocean chemistry, including the balance of carbon in the water.
botany jar illustration

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Sanchez Elementary

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Sánchez Elementary School is close to downtown on Austin’s east side. Built in 1976, the campus boasts murals by Raul Valdez depicting the school’s Hispanic history and heritage. Sánchez was one of the district’s first to introduce two-way dual language education- fitting because the school’s namesake, George Sánchez, was a pioneer in bilingual education. This project was made possible by HEB.

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