The Art of Transformation

Jewelry designer Mark Schneider will present on the exhibition of his work The Art of Transformation: The Jewelry of Mark Schneider. He will discuss how he is inspired to create his jewelry, focusing on several categories of interests that influence his work. Every civilization that has ever known jade has revered it. Across multiple continents and spanning thousands of years, jade has been known by countless names including "Stone of Heaven" by the Chinese, "Stone of Kings" by the Mesoamericans, "Pounamu" by the New Zealand Maori, and was even described by a Chinese emperor as "Poetry without words." Now, in 2026, jade and its culture are seeing a resurgence. There is no better time than now to learn about jade's fascinating history, it's present, and it's future. Join Jordan Wentz, an independent sales representative for Mason-Kay Jade and Jewels of the Trade YouTube channel creator, as she discusses the most treasured gemstone in human history. In the blink of an eye, a meteoroid can transform Earth’s surface, but the evidence it leaves behind can last for millions of years. Join Bill Mikuska for an interactive look at the explosive forces of meteoroid impacts and the geological clues they leave behind. Explore crater formation, ejecta, shattercones, impact breccias, glasses, and spherules, and discover how these materials reveal an impactor’s physical and chemical properties. These clues help scientists piece together Earth’s geological history, prepare for future impacts and understand impacts on the Moon and Mars. Examine real hand samples during this interactive presentation! Remember, after Dec 12, 2026, there are only 199 days util Asteroid Day!