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Station One
The diagram to the right
shows the rock cycle. The
rock cycle is a process where
rocks transform from one
type to another through
various natural processes
like weathering, erosion,
and cooling.
Is the rock cycle truly a cycle? Is this the right name for it?
©Flying Colors Science
A cycle is a series of events
that are regularly repeated
in the same order.
Holly Edwards Pacheco
Quartzite is formed when sandstone, which is
made of compacted sand grains, experiences
extreme heat and pressure. This happens deep
within the Earth's crust, usually in areas
where tectonic plates collide or slide
against each other. As these plates
move, immense pressure and high
temperatures build up underground.
The sandstone gets buried deeper, and
the combination of this intense pressure
and heat causes the minerals within the sandstone to recrystallize and
reorganize. This transformation turns the sandstone into quartzite.
Quartzite comes in many colors and intricate patterns that result from the
recrystallization process. It is known for its exceptional hardness. Quartzite
is so durable that it was used as a cutting tool by early humans.
Is quartzite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
©Flying Colors Science
Station Two
Station Three
©Flying Colors Science
Two rocks are shown below. Look closely at the
pictures to answer the question at the bottom. Use the
appearance of the rocks as evidence in your answer.
Which rock (1 or 2) is most likely an igneous rock?
Holly Edwards Pacheco
Station Four
Diorite is typically a coarse-grained rock with a speckled appearance.
The color can range from light gray to dark gray or black. The texture
of diorite is described as phaneritic, meaning that the individual mineral
grains are visible to the naked eye.
Diorite easily polishes to have a very pretty surface. For this reason, it is
sometimes used in monuments, sculptures, and countertops.
Is diorite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
©Flying Colors Science
Diorite begins its formation when magma,
or molten rock, rises towards the Earth's
surface. The magma then pushes through
Earth's crust. As it rises, it gradually cools.
The slow cooling allows the minerals within
the magma to arrange themselves into
distinct crystals.
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is
a beautiful valley in the Andes
Mountains of Argentina. It is
known for its colorful mountains,
which are the result of millions
of years of geological activity.
The region primarily features
sedimentary rocks, including
shales, sandstones, and
conglomerates. These rocks often
have vibrant colors, such as reds,
purples, and yellow. This
magnificent region is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, which is
a place (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, or building) that is
listed by UNESCO as having cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of
significance and is legally protected by international treaties.
©Flying Colors Science
Station Five
Where are the oldest rocks in this picture? Use numbers as reference points.
Holly Edwards Pacheco
Station Six
Decorative
“Salt Lamp”
Made from
Halite
Halite is usually white or colorless, but impurities
may give it various hues, such as blue, purple, pink,
or yellow. It has a crystalline or grainy texture.
Halite is often used for seasoning food. Halite is used
in water treatment systems. It’s also spread on roads
during winter to melt ice.
Is halite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
©Flying Colors Science
Halite forms in saltwater environments, where water
contains dissolved salts. If this water enters an enclosed
basin, it becomes isolated. When this water evaporates
due to high temperatures and low precipitation, the
concentration of dissolved salts increases. Halite crystals form and grow as
more water evaporates. Crystals eventually settle at the bottom. Over time,
more layers of halite crystals form. The weight of overlying sediments
compact the crystals, turning them into solid rock.
©Flying Colors Science
Station Seven
The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean that
has the most volcanoes of any area on Earth. It includes many tectonic
plate boundaries, subduction zones, and volcanic arcs. In these areas, rocks
such as basalt, andesite, and dacite are abundant (plentiful and common).
From this information, what type of rocks (sedimentary,
metamorphic, or igneous) are basalt, andesite, and dacite?
Holly Edwards Pacheco
Station Eight
Many marine organisms, such as diatoms, radiolarians,
and sponges extract dissolved silica from seawater and use
it to build their skeletons or protective structures. When
they die, their silica-rich structures settle on the ocean floor.
Over time, the accumulated silica undergoes compaction
and cementation, transforming into rock known as chert.
About
600 Years
Old
It doesn’t have any major uses today, but chert was
important to early humans. Because it is very hard and can
keep a sharp edge when shaped, chert was commonly used
for arrowheads, knives, scrapers, and other tools. It also
creates sparks when struck against steel, so it can be used as
a fire starter.
Is chert an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
©Flying Colors Science
Chert has a fine-grained texture. Chert can be a variety of
colors, including white, gray, brown, black, or red.
Chert
Aztec
Spear
Rhyolite is a type of rock that forms
when the magma from a volcano cools and
solidifies on Earth’s surface. The magma that
forms rhyolite is unique because it has a high
amount of silica. Rhyolitic magma tends to be
more explosive than magmas with lower silica
content.
Rhyolite can exhibit a range of colors, including gray,
pink, beige, or reddish-brown. Because of its diverse
colors and interesting patterns, it’s often used as an
ornamental stone in landscaping. Some varieties of
rhyolite, especially those with attractive patterns and
colors, are used as gemstones.
Rhyolite
Ring
©Flying Colors Science
Station Nine
Is rhyolite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Holly Edwards Pacheco
Station Ten
Slate is often dark gray, black, or greenish. It has a finegrained texture. It is not very porous, meaning it has low
water absorption, which helps it resist weathering.
Old Slate Chalkboard
Slate has been traditionally used as a roofing material due to
its durability, impermeability to water, and resistance to
temperature variations. Slate tiles are commonly used for
flooring or pathways. In the past, slate was used for writing
surfaces, especially in the form of slate chalkboards in schools.
Is slate an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
©Flying Colors Science
The process of slate formation begins with fine-grained
sediments and mud. Over time, layers of sediment
accumulate and are buried by more layers, and the
layers become more and more compacted. Then,
heat and pressure from the Earth's crust cause the
minerals within the rock to recrystallize. This means
that minerals in the rock rearrange themselves into new
patterns. The minerals in slate align themselves parallel to the direction of the pressure.
This gives slate its characteristic thin layers. When hit, it tends to split into flat sheets.
Station Eleven
©Flying Colors Science
Two rocks are shown below. Look closely at the
pictures to answer the question at the bottom. Use the
appearance of the rocks as evidence in your answer.
Which rock (1 or 2) is most likely a sedimentary rock?
Holly Edwards Pacheco
Station Twelve
Limestone
Hornfels
Gneiss
Which of the rocks above displays foliation?
©Flying Colors Science
Foliation is a special pattern found in some rocks, resembling layers or bands.
This happens deep within the Earth when rocks face intense heat and pressure.
The minerals in the rocks respond to this pressure by arranging themselves in flat
layers. This process, called foliation, results in visible stripes or bands in the rocks.
Station Thirteen
The diagram to the right
shows the rock cycle. The
rock cycle is a process where
rocks transform from one
type to another through
various natural processes
like weathering, erosion,
and cooling.
Can igneous rock transform into metamorphic rock?
©Flying Colors Science
There are 3 major types of
rocks: igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic.
Holly Edwards Pacheco
Station Fourteen
Porphyry
Shale
Dacite
Which of the rocks above is a coarse-grained rock?
©Flying Colors Science
Rocks are often describes as being fine-grained or coarse-grained.
In fine-grained rocks, the mineral crystals are too small to be easily seen
with the naked eye. These rocks typically result from rapid cooling.
On the other hand, coarse-grained rocks exhibit larger, visible mineral
crystals. These rocks form through slower cooling processes, allowing
minerals to grow to sizes that can range from centimeters to meters.
Station Fifteen
The diagram to the right
shows the rock cycle. The
rock cycle is a process where
rocks transform from one
type to another through
various natural processes
like weathering, erosion,
and cooling.
Can sedimentary rock transform into igneous rock?
©Flying Colors Science
There are 3 major types of
rocks: igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic.
Station Sixteen
There are 3 major types of
rocks: igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic.
©Flying Colors Science
Holly Edwards Pacheco
The diagram to the right
shows the rock cycle. The
rock cycle is a process where
rocks transform from one
type to another through
various natural processes
like weathering, erosion,
and cooling.
Which part of the cycle would be most affected if weathering didn’t happen?
Rocks & the Rock Cycle CER Stations
Name______________________________
1. Is the rock cycle truly a cycle? Is this the right name for it?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
2. Is quartzite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Holly Edwards Pacheco
3. Which rock (1 or 2) is most likely an igneous rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
4. Is diorite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
©Flying Colors Science
5. Where are the oldest rocks in the picture? Use numbers as reference points.
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
6. Is halite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Holly Edwards Pacheco
7. What type of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous) are basalt, andesite, and dacite?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
8. Is chert an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
©Flying Colors Science
9. Is rhyolite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
10. Is slate an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Holly Edwards Pacheco
11. Which rock (1 or 2) is most likely a sedimentary rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Evidence
Reasoning
12. Which of the rocks displays foliation?
Claim
©Flying Colors Science
13. Can igneous rock transform into metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
14. Which of the rocks is a coarse-grained rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Holly Edwards Pacheco
15. Can sedimentary rock transform into igneous rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
16. Which part of the cycle would be most affected if weathering didn’t happen?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
©Flying Colors Science
Rocks & the Rock Cycle CER Stations
ANSWER KEY
1. Is the rock cycle truly a cycle? Is this the right name for it?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
The rock “cycle” is not
the right name for it.
A cycle is a series of events that are
regularly repeated in the same
order. The rock cycle does not
always go in the same order. For
instance, metamorphic rock can
form from either igneous rock or
sedimentary rock if heat and
pressure are applied to them.
Because the rock cycle is not
events that occur always in the
same order, it really shouldn’t
be called a “cycle.”
2. Is quartzite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Quartzite is a
metamorphic rock.
Quartzite forms when sandstone
experiences intense heat and
pressure. The minerals in the
sandstone recrystallize and
reorganize when quartzite is
formed.
Metamorphic rocks are formed
under intense heat and pressure,
and their formation is
characterized by the
recrystallization and
reorganization of the
minerals they’re made from.
Holly Edwards Pacheco
3. Which rock (1 or 2) is most likely an igneous rock?
Claim
Rock #1 is most likely
an igneous rock.
Evidence
Reasoning
Rock #1 is porous, which is
often a characteristic of
igneous rocks.
Igneous rocks can be porous because they
often contain spaces or cavities left by gas
bubbles trapped during the rapid cooling
and solidification of magma or lava. As
the molten rock rises to the Earth's surface,
pressure decreases, and dissolved gases
escape, creating voids within the rock.
4. Is diorite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Diorite is an igneous
rock.
Diorite is formed from molten
rock or magma.
Igneous rocks are formed
from magma.
©Flying Colors Science
5. Where are the oldest rocks in the picture? Use numbers as reference points.
Claim
The oldest rocks are
near the number 4.
Evidence
Reasoning
The rocks near number 4 are the
lowest in the layers.
In sedimentary rock, the lowest
layers are the oldest because
they formed first, and then
other layers formed on top
over and over again.
6. Is halite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Halite is a
sedimentary rock.
Crystals of halite settle at the
bottom of an area as sediment.
Over time, more layers of halite
crystals form. The weight of
overlying sediments compact
the crystals, turning them into
solid rock.
Sedimentary rock is formed when
layers of sediment, such as these
halite crystals, accumulate over
time and then get compressed
and cemented together.
Holly Edwards Pacheco
7. What type of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous) are basalt, andesite, and dacite?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Basalt, andesite, and
dacite are igneous
rocks.
They are abundant
in the Ring of Fire, an area of
many, many volcanoes.
Igneous rocks are formed
from volcanic activity.
8. Is chert an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Chert is a
sedimentary rock.
Chert forms when silica
accumulated at the bottom of the
ocean undergoes compaction and
cementation.
Sedimentary rock is formed when
layers of sediment, such as this
silica, accumulate over time and
then get compressed and
cemented together.
©Flying Colors Science
9. Is rhyolite an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Rhyolite is an
igneous rock.
Rhyolite is formed from molten
rock or magma.
Igneous rocks are formed
from magma.
10. Is slate an igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Slate is a
metamorphic rock.
Slate is formed when heat and
pressure from the Earth's crust
cause minerals within rock to
recrystallize.
Metamorphic rocks are formed
under intense heat and pressure,
and their formation is
characterized by the
recrystallization of the minerals
they’re made from.
Holly Edwards Pacheco
11. Which rock (1 or 2) is most likely a sedimentary rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Rock #1 is a
sedimentary rock.
Students will use their own words
to describe how the picture shows
a bunch of smaller stones
appearing to be cemented
together. They may also point out
that Rock #2 is not sedimentary
because it has the porous structure
of an igneous rock.
Sedimentary rocks form by the
accumulation or deposition of
mud, sediments, or small pebbles
followed by cementation.
12. Which of the rocks displays foliation?
Claim
Gneiss has foliation.
Evidence
Reasoning
The gneiss has visible
bands or stripes.
When rocks face intense heat and
pressure, the minerals in the rocks
respond by arranging themselves in
flat layers. This process, called
foliation, results in visible stripes or
bands in the rocks. Gneiss must
have formed through this process.
©Flying Colors Science
13. Can igneous rock transform into metamorphic rock?
Claim
Yes, igneous rock can
transform into
metamorphic rock.
Evidence
Reasoning
The diagram shows that if igneous
rock undergoes heat and pressure,
it will become metamorphic rock.
When any rock, be it sedimentary
or igneous, undergoes intense heat
and pressure, it recrystallizes and
rearranges the minerals that the
rock is made of, so it becomes a
new type of rock – the
metamorphic rock.
14. Which of the rocks is a coarse-grained rock?
Claim
The porphyry is a
coarse-grained rock.
Evidence
Reasoning
The picture of the porphyry
shows large, visible mineral
crystals. It is easy to see different
“parts” of the rock.
In fine-grained rocks, the mineral
crystals are too small to be easily
seen by the naked eye. But coarsegrained rocks exhibit larger, visible
mineral crystals. Of the three
pictures, the porphyry has the
most visible “parts.”
Holly Edwards Pacheco
15. Can sedimentary rock transform into igneous rock?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Yes, sedimentary rock
can transform into
igneous rock.
The diagram shows that if the
sedimentary rock undergoes
intense heat and pressure, it will
become a metamorphic rock.
Then, if that rock melts into
magma and cools, it will become
an igneous rock.
Sedimentary rock does not
directly transform into igneous
rock. It has to transform into
metamorphic rock first. But
ultimately, sedimentary rock
could go through these steps to
become igneous rock.
16. Which part of the cycle would be most affected if weathering didn’t happen?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
The formation of
sediment and
sedimentary rock
would be most affected
if weathering didn’t
happen.
When igneous or metamorphic
rocks are weathered, it creates
sediment. When this sediment is
compacted and cemented,
sedimentary rock forms.
Without the formation of
sediment, there would be no small
particles to accumulate and then
cement to form sedimentary rock.
©Flying Colors Science
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