A fun and informative introduction to the earth science happening beneath our feet, packed with hands-on science experiments and STEM research projects that help readers ages 12 to 15 discover the amazing world of geology! Did you know that minerals were necessary for the beginning of life? Or that geothermal power could provide all the energy the world needs? Planet Earth is our home, but how much do you really know about the world beneath your feet? Rocks and Minerals: Get the Dirt on Geology offers a glimpse under the surface of the earth and explores the forces that have shaped―and continue to shape―our world. • Make career connections and learn all that geologists do, including help communities find water and plan how to use it, find the safest places to construct buildings and roads, help oil and gas companies find resources to keep our homes and schools powered, help the environment by investigating climate change in the past, predicting the future, and exploring ways to trap poisonous carbon deep underground. • Middle schoolers dive deep into earth science with a discussion of plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and erosion, while exploring the earth as an energy resource and looking ahead toward what the future might bring in terms of the planet. • Science-minded STEM activities such as constructing a model turbine, making a geologic timescale with a roll of toilet paper, and comparing energy sources encourage young readers to think like geologists, while critical thinking exercises, essential questions related to geology, fascinating facts, links to online resources, and brief sidebars encourage readers to explore their incredible planet. About the Inquire & Investigate Earth Science set and Nomad Press Rocks and Minerals is part of a set of three Inquire & Investigate Earth Science books that explore the earth, the atmosphere, and everything in between. The other titles in this series are The Science of Natural Disasters: When Nature and Humans Collide and The Science of Weather and Climate: Rain, Sleet, and the Rising Tide . Nomad Press books in the Inquire & Investigate series integrate content with participation, encouraging readers to engage in student-directed learning. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats. Praise for other Earth science books in the Inquire and Investigate series Planetary Science National Science Teachers Association Recommends " . . . This book from the Inquire & Investigate series from Nomad Press is directed at the middle grades, and combines easy to read text with color diagrams and photographs. In short comic strips (two or three per chapter) the book provides a tour of the solar system led by Dr. Fathima Abadi, a female astronomer. It's encouraging to find a book that depicts a woman scientist as its guide without drawing attention to her gender..." Praise for other Earth science books in the Inquire and Investigate series Planetary Science School Library Connection "This well-written informational book provides readers with accurate, up-to-date planetary facts, vocabulary, primary sources, projects, interesting sidebars, QR codes, and more. Perfect as a reference book for school projects or to satisfy planet enthusiasts, this book's expository text is organized in a readable, highly engaging style.” Praise for other Earth science books in the Inquire and Investigate series Planetary Science National Science Teachers Association Recommends " . . . This book from the Inquire & Investigate series from Nomad Press is directed at the middle grades, and combines easy to read text with color diagrams and photographs. In short comic strips (two or three per chapter) the book provides a tour of the solar system led by Dr. Fathima Abadi, a female astronomer. It's encouraging to find a book that depicts a woman scientist as its guide without drawing attention to her gender...” Chris Eboch is the author of more than 60 books for children, including nonfiction and fiction, early reader through teen. Recent nonfiction titles, published under the name M. M. Eboch, include Mechanical Engineering in the Real World, World War I Battlefield Medicine, Transportation Technology, Geothermal Energy and Wind Energy. Chris has her M.A. in Professional Writing and Publishing from Emerson College. She lives in New Mexico with her husband and their ferrets. Alexis Cornell is a graduate of The Center for Cartoon Studies. Alexis has illustrated several books for Nomad Press, including Big Data: Information in the Digital World with Science Activi