Name _______________________________________
ROCK COLLECTION – DUE
_____________________
Background:
All rocks are the same, right? Many people think that is true, but they couldn’t be
more wrong. There are many different kinds of rocks, and each has a story to tell
about where and how it formed. If you look closely at rocks, you’ll find there are
striking differences between them, just as there are differences between various
kinds of trees and minerals. In this project, you will enjoy the opportunity to hunt
for rocks at several locations in and around your community and school.
Project Guidelines:
Rock collecting can be a very fun experience, but don’t forget, safety is always
first! Please read the following guidelines to ensure that your rock collecting is
safe, easy, and fun.
1. Decide where you would like to begin looking for rocks. Create a list of
places where you plan to search for rocks. Ideal places to find rocks are
around your school or home, parks and along creeks or streams.
Remember, private property should not be used for rock collection. Also,
National Parks do not allow you to remove any rocks from their natural
settings.
2. Be prepared. Take an old backpack to carry the rocks you find. Wear
sneakers and long pants. Use gloves when collecting the rock samples.
Place each rock in it’s own plastic baggie with a brief description of where
you found the rock on a piece of paper or note card.
3. Never go rock collecting alone. Take a parent or friend to help you. Also,
make sure an adult knows where you are going before you begin collecting.
Project Hints:
1. The best place to hunt for rocks is where rock has been exposed.
2. Sometimes rock samples are too big to display easily. Leave these rocks
and look for smaller samples nearby.
3. Scrub your rocks with soapy water and an old toothbrush to clean their
surfaces. This will make crystals and textures more observable.
4. Place your rocks in a cardboard, 12 well, egg-carton with your name in
permanent ink on the lid.
5. Keep a record for each rock on a note card – 3x5 will be too small, use
either 4x6 or 5x8 sized cards.. (see sample)
Name _______________________________________
Project Procedure:
1. Once you have collected and cleaned your 12 rocks, divide them into
three groups: Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary
2. Identify the Specific Category for each Group.
Igneous – Intrusive or Extrusive
Metamorphic – Foliated or Non-Foliated
Sedimentary – Clastic, Organic, or Chemical
3. Name each rock using a field guide for rocks and minerals.
4. Organize your rocks in your egg carton and number your index cards
accordingly. Create a fun graphic for the top of the carton that has your
name on it.
5. Begin collecting your rocks now!!
Project Rubric:
1. Display (egg carton with a decorated top with your name on it, variety of
samples, clean, labeled) ---12 pts.
2. Location --- 12 pts. (1 point for each sample)
3. Major Grouping --- 12 pts. (1 point for each sample)
4. Specific Category ---12 pts. (1 point for each sample)
5. Rock Name & Source of Information ---12 pts. (1 point for each sample)
TOTAL = 60 pts
Example Record Card:
6 in.
#1
Location: where it was found, describe surroundings
4 in.
Group: Sedimentary, Igneous, or Metamorphic
Category: Sedimentary – clastic, organic, or chemical
Igneous – intrusive or extrusive
Metamorphic – foliate or non-foliated
Name: Specific Name of Rock Sample
Source: the resource/book you used to identify your rocks