Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 2, Earth Science Rocks! (1st – 2nd)
Today was another great day in Earth Science Rocks!
We reviewed the generalizations of change we identified yesterday–change is everywhere; it relates to time; it can be natural or manmade, and it may be random or predictable. We then recalled the changes that occurred with the Wall Arch at Arches National Park and built a replica of the original formation with salt and clay. We left the clay to dry and will use water to replicate the formation of the arches tomorrow.
By popular demand, we played the “I Have Who Has” scientist game again and timed our completion of it to see if we could better that time next time we played and become familiar with all the different fields of science.
We defined Geology as the study of the solid earth, its rocks, and minerals and looked at items used by geologists, as well as examples of work they do. We discussed how geologists use science process skills in their work. These include the following: Make observations, Ask questions, Learn more, Design and conduct experiments, Create meaning from observations, and Tell others what was found.
We learned that rocks are made up of minerals and that geologists classify rocks into three categories: Igneous–rocks that were created by intense heat, such as when molten magma cools; Sedimentary–rocks that formed when sand, mud, and pebbles were formed over time from erosion and then pressed together and cemented; and Metamorphic–rocks that went through a change in structure, composition, or texture due to pressure and heat. We drew and discussed the Rock Cycle. We then studied, drew, and labeled four samples of Igneous and Sedimentary rocks. We also compared the rocks based on what we had observed about them.
Tomorrow, we start with identifying four samples of Metamorphic rock. We will then move on to a closer study of weathering and erosion.
Questions to ask your Geologist about today:
- How did you build a replica of the Wall Arch at Arches National Park?
- What did you use to build the replica of the Wall Arch and what will the next step of the experiment be tomorrow?
- What other kind of scientist; besides Geologist of course; would you like to be?
- What are some things that Scientists, and Geologists, do?
- What do you remember about Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks?
- Can you name any of the Igneous and Sedimentary rocks that you observed?