Name: ___________________________
S’more
Rock
Period:
____
Cycle
This exercise will serve as a review of the various processes leading to rock formation and the
types of rocks that result from specific rock-forming processes. This activity will require quite a
bit of creativity, imagination, and work on your part in order to serve its purpose. Please be
ready to think and actively participate (you may need to eat chocolate at various points in the
lab). ASK QUESTIONS.
1. If the chocolate/marshmallow/graham cracker (C/M/GC) represents igneous rocks,
describe the natural process required to form these “rocks”.
2. Describe the natural process you simulate by removing C/M/GC from their bag.
Each individual member of the group should receive one type of “rock” from the front of the
classroom. Put the “rocks” onto your sheet of paper and carry it back to your station.
3. Describe the natural processes you are simulating when you CARRY your “rocks”
back to your station.
4. Describe the natural process you are simulating by setting your “rocks” down at
your station.
5. What are 3 common characteristics of the rocks at the blue station? What type of
rock is represented at the blue station (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic)?
6. With your different types of “rock,” how will you simulate the processes leading to
the formation the rocks at the blue station? Describe your method here and then DO
IT! (Some of the processes you may be simulating occur in nature on the order of
thousands of years or more…we don’t have that much time so we will have to make
do). What natural processes are represented in your lab simulation?
7. Describe and analyze your results. How are your rock creations similar to and
different from real rocks? (Hint: a good way to tell different textures in your “rock”
is by sampling a very small portion of the “rock” and feeling for “grit” in your
teeth.) How would you change your method to better represent the formation of the
rocks at the blue station?
8. How would you simulate the formation of other types of sedimentary rocks, such as
conglomerate or limestone?
********Save your “rock” from this station. DO NOT EAT THE ROCK (yet)**********
9. What are 3 common characteristics of the rocks at the red station? What type of
rock is represented at the red station (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic)?
10. Using your current rock, how will you simulate the processes leading to the
formation of the rocks at the red station? Describe your method here and then DO
IT! What natural processes are represented in your lab simulation?
11. Describe and analyze your results. How are your rock creations similar to and
different from real rocks? How would you change your method to better represent
the formation of the rocks found at the red station?
12. What are 3 common characteristics of the rocks at the green station? What type of
rock is represented at the green station (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic)?
13. Using your current rock, how will you simulate the processes leading to the
formation of the rocks at the green station? (Important: You will not use the
microwave for the formation of your final rock.) Describe your method here and
then DO IT! What natural processes are represented in your lab simulation?
14. The path you followed represented one path through the rock cycle.
(Igneous  Sedimentary  Metamorphic  Magma) Describe other possible paths
through the rock cycle (i.e. could the steps in this exercise have been in a different
order?) Explain.
15. Some of the processes you simulated in the laboratory today were poor
representations for how rocks form in nature. What processes would you have done
differently if given the necessary tools? What tools would you need to carry out
these more accurate processes?