A rock club, an educational resource, and something we’re still building.

MVGEM stands for Mahoning Valley Geology, Earth Science & Mineralogy. We’re forming a community organization around geology, fossils, minerals and lapidary arts, with practical access to learning, tools and field experiences at the center.

The idea is straightforward: people shouldn’t need their own workshop, a professional geology background, or an expensive collection to take part. We want to connect people who are curious with people who have something to teach, and make room for both to learn.

Learn, make, and document

We’re developing educational programs, collecting and museum trips, specimen study, demonstrations and public displays. Shared lapidary equipment and workshop access are longer-term goals, dependent on space, equipment, funding and safe operating procedures.

The arts are part of this work too. Photography, illustration, lapidary, exhibition design and storytelling help people see and understand what a specimen can tell us.

Careful documentation matters. A good photograph, a reliable locality record and a clearly stated uncertainty can be more useful than a confident label that turns out to be wrong.

Access belongs in the planning

We’re considering physical, sensory, cognitive, communication and financial barriers as we develop programs. Typed communication, written follow-up, flexible volunteer roles and remote participation where practical can all make a difference.

We want feedback from people who actually use or need the access arrangements being considered. No one person’s experience covers everyone else’s needs. Some sites and equipment will have limitations, and we’ll describe those honestly.

Where we are now

MVGEM is in its organizing stage. Membership arrangements, leadership, governance and programs are still being developed. We are not currently an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3).

We’ve begun doing the work, including our October 3, 2026 Sylvania Fossil Park outing and subsequent specimen preparation and displays. We’re now looking for people interested in membership, volunteering, teaching, partnerships and board service.

If you’d like to help shape what this becomes, email MVGEM330@gmail.com or visit Get Involved.