Rocks, Sand, and Minecraft: A Day of Discovery with WERI!

From Minecraft blocks to magnetic sand, fourth-grade students from Finegayan Elementary School enjoyed a fun-filled day of science and discovery with the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI) during their field trip to Ritidian! Students got a closer look at Guam’s geology and groundwater resources, learning how the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer (NGLA) forms, why it is so important to the island, and how production wells bring groundwater to our communities. They also witnessed a chemical reaction in action as WERI demonstrated how hydrochloric acid interacts differently with limestone and volcanic rock.

The fun continued with a real-life Minecraft challenge! Students put their knowledge to the test by matching familiar Minecraft blocks with their real-world rock and mineral counterparts. They also got hands-on with some of Guam’s unique natural treasures, experimenting with magnetic sand from Talofo’fo’ Bay and using magnifying glasses to discover the tiny, intricate shapes of star sand found along Guam’s beaches.

Through exciting demonstrations, interactive games, and plenty of curiosity, WERI helped turn a day at Ritidian into an opportunity to explore the science beneath our feet! Activities like these encourage young learners to appreciate Guam’s natural wonders while discovering the importance of understanding and protecting the island’s precious groundwater resources.