Necessity was the Mother of Pippy's Science Invention

What does geology, homeschooling, and an overworked mining technician have in common? A new science-based subscription box created for middle schoolers. When Desiree Wentland first started home- schooling her daughter, nicknamed Pippy, she didn’t know how challenging it was going to be to juggle teaching, working part-time, and finding a curriculum that worked for them. Wentland, who has a M.Sc in economic geology and has been working in the mining industry for 20 years wanted a science program that really engaged the kids–something that would highlight the passion of an industry she loved. She tried several different ones, the easy ones she felt didn’t engage the kids–and the ones that were truly interesting required hours of preparation–something she didn’t have.

“I wanted something immersive, something that sparked curiosity, something that show- cased the wonders of science—something easy to implement without spending hours prepping,” she said.

Not satisfied with anything on the market, Wentland created her own science program for her daughter. Using her lifelong passion for rocks and geology, she began creating lessons using her extensive rock collection. But what started as a solution for her daughter, Pippy, soon grew into something bigger. Friends in the homeschool and private school communities began asking her to teach short courses for their students. She watched how much the kids enjoyed exploring such a tangible and hands-on science class.

With each class she taught, Wentland saw the need for a structured, engaging, and easy- to-use science program that didn’t require parents to scramble for supplies or carve out extra prep time. That’s when inspiration struck. “I realized I could make science come alive for kids everywhere,” she says.

Wentland, with a lot of hard work, used the mining career she was passionate about to create Pippy’s Science Company. Pippy’s Science Company is a subscription box and video-based science program to provide students an interactive understanding of rocks, minerals, and fossils.

“I wanted to bring excitement into science,” Wentland explains. Pippy’s Science Company’s first subscription box will be a month-long short course on the rock cycle. The first week students will get an overview of what

geology is all about. They will learn about the anatomy of the earth, a few common elements, and discover the tools geologists use for rock identification. The main focus of study will be on igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. One week will be devoted to learning about each one using fun and interactive activities and videos. Throughout the week, students will learn about each type of rock, how they are formed, and how to look for distinguishing characteristics to identify them.

At the end of each week, there will be several rock samples provided for the student to identify with tools the kit provides, such as a rock scratcher, and a magnifying glass.

Using what the students have learned throughout the week, they will examine the rocks, scratch them and break off pieces–exactly like a geologist in the field, to identify them. Will they be quartz? Mica?

Felspar? Pumice? Marble or Gypsum?

“I want kids to see real people who have made careers out of science.” Wentland envisions future subscriptions to include videos of geologists in different professions and even offer collectors cards for the kids to collect as they discover science-based career paths.

An education in geology trains students for diverse careers with opportunities to pursue many different positions–several of which fall into the agricultural realm: Environmental field technicians are involved in the research, and improvement of soil.

Soil analysts examine soil properties: texture, fertility, and structure. Mining engineers work in, and around, mines. Finding more efficient methods to extract natural

resources, like coal and metals. Geotechnical engineers have specialized skills in rock and soil stability. They may be involved in designing and constructing new roads, dams, or dikes, solving problems with rock mechanics and geomorphology.

Petroleum Geologists study the structure, composition, and history of rocks and minerals to determine the best places to drill and extract oil and natural gas.

“There are so many careers that are based in geology,” Wentland says, “I want kids to know they are attainable.”

Pre-orders for the rock cycle course are open now. For more in- formation email: info@pipsci.com.