Educational Insights GeoSafari Prospector's Mystery Rock

Other products by Educational Insights

Product Features

• Includes a real emerald and a 140 million-year-old dinosaur bone
• Young prospectors unearth 10 treasures buried deep within this special clay rock
• Learn how to record specimens in the log book
• Test for various classifications
• Booklet includes several experiments

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 13.4 x 3.6 inches ; 2.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00000JB82
• Item model number: EI-5140
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 - 12 years
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,796 in Toys & Games (See Bestsellers in Toys & Games)

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  Toys & Games > Hobbies > Science > Geology & Earth Sciences

• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Product Description

Editorial Review

You thought Indiana Jones was cool, and then you open this box to find a flat clay "rock" about 2 inches high and 4.5 inches in diameter... hmmm. But wait! There are no fewer than 10 artifacts buried in here. Some are fragile (including a real fossil) and some are small and valuable (including a real precious stone). Can you use the included prospector's knife and brush, follow the detailed instructions, and excavate all 10 treasures undamaged? Can you identify them? Can you complete the included logbook accurately enough to win a place as assistant on Indiana's next expedition? Only time and a lot of patience will tell. If you do it, there's a plastic display case and labels for your finds--plus a sealed "Secret Identity Chart" for anything you can't identify. Parent's Choice Foundation Gold Award and National Parenting Center Seal of Approval winner. --Richard Farr

Product Description

It's a real 'mystery' as students won't know what's buried inside until they 1) excavate it; 2) perform tests on the specimens; and 3) consult the guide to help determine what the various specimens are! Students learn actual methods used by real archaeologists and paleontologists as they excavate 10 buried treasures hidden within the clay rock, then complete activities to learn even more! Kit includes Mystery Rock with 3 authentic fossils, 4 genuine gemstones, 3 rock specimens, a Prospector's Log Book, excavation tool and brush, specimen identification chart, and display tray.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Lasting, Fun & Messy, September 11, 2004

By	R. Glenn (MD, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My husband and I got this for our 7 year old daughter as a holiday gift in December 2003. We love it because long after the other holiday gifts have been forgotten about, this one still brings our daughter excitement. She just found the last gem this month (10 months later!). This is a messy gift - when we use it, we lay down newspaper and wear aprons, but nothing ever stained. Looking for the gems does require patience, but I liked that about this gift/toy because it took patience and perseverance in order to obtain the prize - most toys these days are instant gratification. We highly recommend this item.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Messy but Fun, February 12, 2003

By A Customer

Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

My almost 8 year old daughter had a lot of fun with this. Not only did she like digging the items out of the rock but liked washing them off and trying to figure out what the items were and recording the info in the journal and in the end learning about each item. It is messy - lots of dust - but a few newspapers spread out works o.k.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and longlasting toy!, January 8, 2005

By	Vicki Williamson (Monroe, Ga United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this for my daughter for Christmas. When she unwrapped the package she didn't think much of it but once she learned what it was exactly she became excited. The first time she worked on it she spent an hour and then became bored with it. Then I had an idea to have her use a water spray bottle and since then she has had a blast. Spraying the water helps to soften the clay enough to where they can dig and feel like they are getting somewhere. So far she has unearthed 3 things. Warning for parents: Make certain your child is wearing old clothes and that you have something covering the child's work surface and beneath the chair especially if they are working over a carpeted area.