The Wonder of (Collecting) Sand

Presenter: David Balenson
Sand, the second-most used resource on Earth after water, permeates our lives and our culture. From beaches to riverbanks, deserts to mountains, and even beyond Earth, on the Moon and on Mars, sand is ubiquitous. Its versatility is astounding; from arts and crafts to abrasives, and from glass to computer chips, our reliance on sand is extensive. Wikipedia defines sand as "a granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles," characterized primarily by its grain size, smaller than gravel yet coarser than silt.

In this presentation, I will share my fascination with sand, cultivated through over 200 samples collected around the globe over the past two decades. We will delve into the myriad types, colors, and granularities of sands, unveiling their diverse beauty. Utilizing a digital microscope, we will scrutinize sand up close, unveiling a largely unseen world. We will also explore the intersection of sand and art, where it serves as both subject and medium. Finally, I will provide insights into resources for further exploration and collection of sand, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for this remarkable resource.

Bio: David Balenson is the Interim Director of the Networking and Cybersecurity Division and a Senior Supervising Computer Scientist at USC Information Sciences Institute, a world leader in research and development of advanced information processing, computer, and communications technologies, headquartered in Marina del Rey, CA. He has over 35 years experience managing and conducting research and development of innovative solutions to challenging cybersecurity problems for government and commercial customers.

David is a native of Baltimore, MD and currently lives with his wife of over 35 years in Olney, MD. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

David enjoys collecting stamps, coins, rocks, sand, bottles, and dried flowers. He collected his first rock (a cut geode) as a child at a gem and mineral outside Baltimore and his first sand sample at Pebble Beach, California in July 2003. He loves traveling the country and world adding to his collections.

David is a member of the Gem, Lapidary, & Mineral Society of Montgomery County (GLMSMC), the Gem, Lapidary & Mineral Society of Leisure World (GLMS-LW), and Culver City Rock and Mineral Club (CCRMC), and the International Sand Collectors Society. He exhibits his sand collection at the Annual GLMSMC Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show held every March at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Maryland.