Earrings made from tree sap, 350-million-year-old sea monsters and purple crystals the size of a fist will all be on display at Prairie State College's annual Fossil, Gem, and Mineral Show.

The show will be held on Oct. 18 and 19 in the college's Prairie Center gym, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. Hours for the show are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The weekend show is hosted by PSC's Department of Natural Sciences and the South Suburban Earth Science Club. The free family event also includes special children's activities. Participants can view science demonstrations and learn about biology, chemistry, geology and physics. Scouts can earn their geology merit badge.

During the show on Saturday, NASA Ambassador Joel Knapper will present two lectures: The Phoenix Mars Landing at 11 a.m., and the Hubble Telescope, the Last Mission at 1 p.m.

In addition to a spectacular display of fossils, shells and minerals, dealers will be selling items such as jewelry, gem trees, opals, geodes, amethysts, crystals and fluorescent stones.

"Whether you're a student, a teacher, a collector, or just doing your Christmas shopping, this is a really great chance to see and purchase some really unique items," said Lee Anne Burrough, associate professor of Earth Science at PSC.

For more information, call (708) 709-3500 or e-mail lburrough@prairiestate.edu or ssescus@yahoo.com.

- THE TIMES