Station # 1
Observe a Rock
(Grades 2 & 3)
Each member of the group should:
1. Choose a rock from the tray to observe. Use sense of sight and touch to
identify its properties. Record observations in your notebook.
2. Look at your rock observations and decide what makes your rock “special”
from the other rocks using your sense of touch.
3. Everyone puts his/her rock in the paper bag.
4. Take turns placing one hand in the bag with eyes closed to search for “your”
rock. After checking if you found your own rock return it to the bag for the
next person’s turn.
5. Did you find “your” rock? If yes, explain how you knew or if no, what
property(s) did you miss in your notebook. (You can get your rock from out
of the bag.)
Station # 2
Classify Rocks
(Grades 2 - 5)
Each member of the group should:
1. Use your senses of sight and touch to observe the properties of the rocks.
List properties observed on the Rock Groups chart. Place the rocks under
one of the categories that it fits in.
2. Work together to pick two different properties. (Ex. Rough and Small or Flat
and Shiny) and record the two property choices on a Venn diagram.
3. Sort (classify) your rocks. You will not use all rocks.
4. Make a record in your notebook to explain how
you classified.
5. Change your two properties on the Venn.
6. Sort again.
7. Make a record to explain how you classified.
Station # 3
Measure a Rock’s Length
Each member of the group should:
1. Choose
a rock from the tray.
2. Use a ruler to measure its longest length in centimeters. (Gr. 5 – Use
decimals for an exact length.)
3. Record your rock’s length in your notebook.
4. After everyone has measured their rocks, put them in order from
shortest to longest. Record results.
5. What is the difference between the shortest and the longest rock?
Record.
6. What senses and tools did you use to measure and compare the
rocks’ length?
Station # 4
Weigh a Rock
Each member of the group should:
1. Choose
a rock from the tray to weigh.
2. Place the rock on one side of a balance.
3. Place the gram cubes on the other side to make the
balance even.
4. Count the gram cubes.
5. Record what the rock weighs (mass) in your notebook.
6. After everyone has weighed their rocks, put them in order from lightest to
heaviest. Record results.
7. What is the difference in mass between the lightest and the heaviest rock?
Record.
8. What
rock properties of the two rocks could explain why there is a
difference in mass between them?
Station # 5
Measure a Rock’s Volume
(Grades 4 &5)
.
1. Pour water into a graduated cylinder to the __________ mark.
(Choose 30 mL for a 50 mL graduated cylinder and 60 mL for a 100 mL graduated cylinder.)
2. Record the beginning water level in your notebook.
3. Slowly drop a rock into the water in the graduated cylinder.
4. Record the new water level.
5. Subtract the beginning water level from the new level.
6. The difference is the volume of the rock.
7. Record the volume of your rock.
8. Order the rocks from smallest to largest volume and record.
9. What was the difference in volume?
10. Did any of the rocks have the same volume? If yes, what else was alike about them?
If no, explain another way the rocks were alike.
Station # 6
Bubbles and Fizz
(Grades 4 & 5)
Scientists test for chemical changes in rocks to identify what type of mineral
is in the rock. You will test for the carbonate mineral calcite found in the
sedimentary rock limestone and the metamorphic rock marble. Calcite will
react to the acid in the vinegar.
Part A
1. Put a piece of calcite in the small cup.
2. Measure and pour 10 mL of vinegar on the calcite.
3. Record observations. (Don’t forget to use your sense of hearing, too.)
4. How did the calcite react to the vinegar?
*Check your observations: Carbonate minerals will react to the acid in the vinegar by bubbling and fizzing because CO2 is given off
as the calcium carbonate reacts to the acid and dissolves.
Part B
1. Put a rock in the small cup.
2. Measure and pour 10 mL of vinegar on the rock in the cup. Observe.
3. Record rock number and observations. Repeat steps 1. – 3. for all rocks.
4. Write what you learned. Which rock numbers tested contained calcite? How do
you know? What type of rocks could they be?