Rocks - Rock On! - Episode 105



1) Rock Solid
How true is the saying, “Solid as a rock”? Collect different kinds of rocks and weigh them individually. Soak them in water and weigh them again. Did their weights change or stay the same? Why? Take a closer look at any rocks that gained weight. Make predictions about why they did. Test your ideas. What does your investigation tell you about how solid rocks are?

2) Invent Rock
Rocks in nature are formed in many ways. What keeps them together? Make at least three different rock recipes. Use ingredients such as clay, sand, mud, straw, white glue, marbles, even cookie dough! Name your recipes and predict which one will be hardest or strongest. Why? Which ones will survive outside?

3) Watch Out For Rocks
Create a map that shows the major kinds of rock in your area. You may want to have friends bring back rocks from where they live. How many types of rock did you find? Try to relate the different kinds of rock to where they are found.

Next:
Hold a contest to see if your friends can tell the difference between natural rocks from your area and rocks that humans have made or imported. Include pieces of brick, cement or driveway gravel to test your friends.