Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 3, Earth Science Rocks! (1st-2nd)
We started today with a review of the Rock Cycle and then identified four samples of Metamorphic rock. After closely observing the Gneiss, Slate, Marble, and Schist samples students then challenged themselves with trying to identify each rock without labels. We also tested our memory from yesterday’s observations of Igneous rocks (Granite, Obsidian, Basalt, and Pumice) and the Sedimentary rocks (Conglomerate, Limestone, Shale, Sandstone).
We then retrieved our hardened clay models of domes or arches depicting formations at Arches National Park and emulated rain or floods as we washed away the salt sediments and were left with domes and arches.
After lunch, we did some edible experiments depicting the three types of rocks. We then moved on to a closer study of weathering and erosion through experiments which displayed erosion from water and wind.
We had an exciting day with a lot of hands-on experiments and a lot of learning!
Questions to ask your Geologist about today:
- Can you name any of the Metamorphic rocks that you observed?
- What do you remember about the different types of rocks?
- What happened when water was poured over the salt sediments of your clay structures? What did this show you?
- How did you show Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks’ formation with the edible experiments?
- What do you remember about weathering and erosion from the experiments you did that showed water and wind’s interaction with rocks?