All that glitters
The Earth Sciences Museum has added a little more sparkle to their collection thanks to a generous gift, valued at approximately $50,000, from Waterloo Science alumnus Jim Reimer.
Jim and his late father, John, developed a passion for minerals in the early 1970s due to Jim’s interest. Now the family’s hobby will forever be preserved in the Reimer Family Mineral Gallery and Groundwater-Driven Mineralization Display at the Museum.
The new collection features specimens gathered by Jim and his father on various family vacations across Canada and the United States, and through field trips organized by the Kitchener-Waterloo Mineral Club, where the Reimer family served as active members. The collection will also include crystals from former and current members of the club.
Peter Russell, curator at the Earth Sciences Museum, says that the Groundwater-Driven Mineralization Display will “allow us to explain the role of groundwater in the formation of mineral deposits. This display will also be the first to have an interactive computer on the subject at the Museum.”
In addition, Jim donated custom showcases to house the collection, complete with LED lights, as part of his gift.
In September 2010, the Earth Sciences Museum thanked Jim and his family for their gift in a recognition ceremony.
Jim’s gift shows his passion for geology and his loyalty to the University of Waterloo,” said Terry McMahon, dean of science.
Jim spoke about the importance of attracting our youth to science.
Science is a key driver of Canada’s prosperity and we need to get more young people interested in science,” he said. “We hope that these new museum displays will spark their curiosity and fuel their interest.
