Exploring the World
Grain by Grain
Osolata Beach, Baucau, East Timor, Image Credit: Leo Kenney
(See more about this image below)
The International Sand Collectors Society
Welcome to the International Sand Collectors Society (ISCS) Education Website. The ISCS is an all-volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to educate ISCS members and the public about the origin, wonder, and science of sand. Our vision is that people will see the world through the geology and biology of sand; and they will learn from those humble grains that there is science and wonder all around them.
ISCS Educational Activities
(Click below for more information)
ISCS members has many talented authors and photographers who graciously share their knowledge with engaging articles.
Image by Steven Michael
ISCS invites speakers from all over the world to speak at quarterly meetings. Recordings of their presentations are available here.
Image by Lori Carter
The ISCS holds conferences called "SandFest" where sand collectors around the world come to share their knowledge through a symposium, STEM events, exhibits, and field trips.
Image by Steven Michael
ISCS members participate in STEM events and other community events at schools, libraries, and other venues to share the science and joy of learning about the world through sand.
Image by Lori Carter
Sand Calendars
ISCS members put together a sand calendar every year. Each month features a beautiful close-up image of a sand and includes an in-depth write-up of the geology and/or biology of the sand.
Image by Leo Kenney
About the image on this page
Osolata Beach, Baucau, East Timor (Timore-Leste)
The "puffy" grains are the internal tests (sort of a skeleton) of single celled organisms called foraminfera or foram for short. The pink bits are also from forams, but an encrusting kind. The long bits are sea urchin spines.
Image Credit: Leo Kenney