The Big Canyon Balloon geology program has been making its way around the state of Texas since 2008. Students love interacting with Rocky as they fast forward into the future to see how nature’s forces change our 15 ft tall canyon model. Students debate fast versus slow changes to the earth while they experience weathering, erosion and deposition. They participate to create landforms including a barrier island, a sand dune, and a delta. Forces causing erosion are explored as we pause to compare rocks and minerals – what is the difference? What are types of rocks we know and how are those formed? Inside the canyon, students will discover a fossil record and an oil deposit. What are the fossils telling the explorers about the relative age of these layers? How did the oil form? Is it a renewable or non-renewable natural resource? The answers to these questions and much more will be discovered during out unforgettable, interactive earth science programs for each grade level, aligned to K-8 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Rocky travels around Texas with his teacher friend, Nick Deiley. Nick was born and raised in San Antonio. He graduated from Smithson Valley High School and then attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. Nick graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Resource and Environmental Science. He then taught 4th-5th grade science and Texas history for 13 years in New Braunfels. Nick still lives in New Braunfels and has been married for over 20 years to his college sweetheart, who is the best mother and kindergarten teacher around. Nick and his wife have two sons they are very proud of who attend A&M University in College Station. Nick loves to fish, go kayaking, bird hunt, or hang out all day on the beach with his family.