Which Rock Is It?

Today students tried their hands at being geologists! They examined and described ten different rocks, and then used those observations to attempt to classify them as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks. After this first attempt, based on their observations and prior knowledge, they used illustrated information sheets to do research on how and where different rocks are formed. They then revised their classifications, identified the rocks, and presented their reasoning to their classmates. We had some good discussions as students thought about the processes that can turn one rock into another, in the never-ending Rock Cycle.

See if your student can find an example of one of the rocks we studied next time you’re walking around outside – many specimens were examples of very common rocks!

El ciclo de las rocas

¡Hoy los estudiantes probaron ser geólogos! Examinaron y describieron diez rocas diferentes, y luego usaron esas observaciones para tratar de clasificarlas como rocas ígneas, sedimentarias o metamórficas. Después de este primer intento, basándose en sus observaciones y conocimiento previo, utilizaron hojas de información ilustradas para investigar cómo y dónde se forman las diferentes rocas. Luego revisaron sus clasificaciones, identificaron las rocas y presentaron sus razonamientos a sus compañeros de clase. Tuvimos excelentes discusiones mientras los estudiantes analizaban los procesos en que un tipo de roca se convierte en otro tipo, en el interminable ciclo de las rocas</

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Vea si su hijo o hija puede encontrar un ejemplo de una de las rocas que estudiamos la próxima vez que estén de paseo. Muchos de los especímenes utilizados en clase ¡son rocas muy comunes!

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Author

Dr. Maureen Griffin

Maureen earned a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. While at Penn, she developed a novel micro-mechanical technique called micropipette peeling to investigate the role of muscle cell adhesion in normal and diseased skeletal muscle cells. After graduating, Maureen worked full time as a post-doctoral researcher and then a staff scientist a SelectX Pharmaceuticals. She joined the teaching staff in 2008 and was excited to be made an executive staff member in 2009. Maureen also continued to consult part time for SelectX until her daughter's birth in 2009; now she is focused on Science from Scientists and, of course, her children. Maureen uses her spare time to read, blog, cook, and renovate her house.

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