Sedimentary rocks are the direct lifeline to understanding the history of "the most important part" of our planet--its surface, says Brian Horton, describing his work.

Which led the seismologists and experimental petrologists in the room to groan collectively.

Our teachers are in the classroom with Brian Horton discussing the observable features that characterize the features they saw in the Grand Canyon earlier this week and the various sedimentary processes that formed these different layers.

.Brian Horton talks to our teachers about how to cut thin slices of rock samples for viewing under the microscope.

Last activity: our teachers are using hand lenses and the microscope to identify three rock samples from Texas.

Mystery solved! (One of three.) It's glauconite. Brian Horton made our final game very challenging.

We found the secret whiteboard with the whole week's activities written out. This is what's been keeping us so busy!

We had an incredible week with our MUSICA teachers. Thanks to their great questions, good spirits, and hard work. Next up: lesson planning!!

What a phenomenal week of professional development for plate tectonics, sedimentation, volcanoes and fractionation of magma. Learned so much this week! Can't wait to design lesson plans and implement for my kids next school year. #sciencerocks #txscienceteacher

Learning begins when we realize how much we don’t know. At which point, a hammer fixes everything! Thank you MUSICA Lara Wagner and Brian Horton for a wonderful week of professional development. I’m excited to creating new engaging lessons plans in phase 2.

Emily Dickinson once wrote: “The brain is wider than the sky.” So true when analyzing the sediment structure of the Grand Canyon! Thankful to better understand and teach the processes that created this fierce but magical view! MUSICA Brian Horton & Lara Wagner

Ariana Kay @LuceroPhysics It was so nice meeting you both! I enjoyed listening to your questions learning from your experiences. Cheers to continued professional growth and development MUSICA with Lara Wagner & Brian Horton.

What an amazing week with a talented, fun, and committed crew of teachers/educators/scientists. Looking forward to working more with all of you! @LuceroPhysics Amanda M Ariana Kay Brian Horton MUSICA Dr. Christy Till (she/her) Marlena Jones CASE at Carnegie Sci Carnegie Earth & Planets Laboratory School of Earth and Space Exploration

Checking out some fantastic crossbedding at Ooh Aah Point in the Grand Canyon with Katy Cain @LuceroPhysics Ariana Kay and Brian Horton. MUSICA

A million thanks to Katy Cain and Natasha Metzler for their excellent coverage of our MUSICA adventures this past week!

We had a blast covering the MUSICA trip for Carnegie Earth & Planets Laboratory (AND I saw a tumbleweed tumbling for the first time. #LifeGoals)

Deployment planning in Medellin with Gaspar Monsalve. After 2 years of pandemic delays, finally getting it done! MUSICA Carnegie Earth & Planets Laboratory

After two years of planning and postponement, we're finally on the ground in Colombia! #MUSICAscience

Colombia is so beautiful!!! More permitting fun with Gaspar, Santiago, and Gaspar's friend Uriel.

Sunrise at the Galaxia Hotel in Puerto Berrio. MUSICA