Name ____________________________________________________
Color Me Metamorphic Lab
Idea (Purpose): How can rocks change as they go through the rock cycle?
Background Knowledge (Research): There are three types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic
and igneous. These rocks are formed in different ways, and each rock can be changed into any
of the other rocks. This is called the rock cycle, a process where rocks are made. You can
think of it as rocks being recycled to make other rocks.
Hypothesis: This is an informational lab so you can see how rocks change as they go through
the rock cycle. There is no hypothesis.
Materials:
 Old crayons: 4-6
 Wax paper
 Small container to
red, 4-6 green, 4-6
keep “rock” samples
blue, 4-6 yellow
in
(for each group)
 Newspaper (lots of
 Envelopes
it to cover desks)
 Plastic spoons/old
 Aluminum
disposable pie pans
 Small wood boards
 Hot plate
pencil sharpeners
 Aluminum foil
 Vise grips
Procedure:
Part A: Weathering
1. Cover all desks with newspaper.
2. Each group member should have a sheet of wax paper, a plastic spoon (or old pencil
sharper), and 4-6 crayons of the same color (ie. One person has blue, another red…).
3. Use the plastic spoon/old pencil sharpener to rub the crayon over the wax paper to break
it up into small fragments.
4. When the weathering is complete, wrap the fragments in wax paper and place them in an
envelope.
5. Complete the paragraph plug-in and your comic template for Part A.
Part B: Erosion and Sedimentation
1. Cover the desks with newspaper.
2. Place the four colors of weathered crayons in the middle of the table.
3. Lay down a large piece of Aluminum foil.
4. One at a time, have each student transfer their “rock” fragments to the center of the
Aluminum foil; so that each color is in a layer on top of the next.
5. When students have finished making observations, fold the aluminum foil over the “rock”
fragments.
6. Complete the paragraph plug-in and your comic template for Part B.
Part C: Sedimentary Rock Simulation
Procedure:
1. Place your folded foil package between two boards.
2. Place this “sandwich” in the vise, and apply light pressure.
3. After several minutes, open the “sandwich” and observe the “sedimentary rock” you
created. Break off a small piece of “sedimentary rock” and place it in the container.
4. Rewrap the rest of the “rock” fragments.
5. Complete the paragraph plug-in and your comic template for Part C.
Part D: Metamorphic Rock Simulation
Procedure:
1. Place the foil package between the boards and in the vises again.
2. Now, add as much pressure as you possibly can for a few minutes. As you increase the
pressure, you are also increasing the temperature too.
3. Reopen the package to observe the newly formed “metamorphic rock”.
4. After making your observations, break off a small piece of “metamorphic” rock and place
it in the container.
5. Complete the paragraph plug-in and your comic template for Part D.
Part E: Igneous Rock Formation
Procedure:
Group 1: Line an aluminum tray with foil, fill it with ice water.
Group 2: Line an aluminum tray with foil, fill it with warm water.
Group 3: Line an aluminum tray with foil, fill it with hot water.
1. Place all crayon fragments (except the sedimentary and metamorphic samples in the
container) in the aluminum tray.
2. Place the aluminum tray on the hot plate and turn the temperature to medium.
3. Melt the wax, stirring often.
4. While the wax is in the molten state, turn the hot plate off and carefully:
a. Group 1 & 2: Pour the melted wax into the ice water.
b. Group 3 & 4: Pour the melted wax into the warm water.
c. Group 5 & 6: Pour the melted wax into the hot water.
5. Observe the different rocks formed by the different groups.
6. Allow the wax to cool overnight, you should then be able to remove it from the foil and
observe the different “crystal shapes” seen in the rock.
7. Complete the paragraph plug-in and your comic template for Part E.