Laboratory Title: The Rock Cycle- (changes simulation)
Name: Leigh McKolay
Concepts Addressed: Rock cycle, phase changes within the rock cycle- characteristics of each stage of cycle.
Lab Goals: To impart a basic understanding of the rock cycle- that there are different stages of formation and that it never ends.
Lab Objectives:
Students will:
* Identify and describe the rock cycle.
* Work together to find answers.
* Simulate the changes that occur in the rock cycle.
* Analyze observations and compare it with the presented information on the rock cycle.
Benchmark(s) Addressed:
Fourth Grade
4.1 Structure and Function: Living and non-living things can be classified by their characteristics and properties.
4.1L.1 Compare and contrast characteristics of fossils and living organisms.
4.1E.1 Identify properties, uses, and availability of Earth materials.
4.3 Scientific Inquiry: Scientific inquiry is a process of investigation through questioning, collecting, describing, and examining evidence to explain natural phenomena and artifacts.
4.3S.1 Based on observations identify testable questions, design a scientific investigation, and collect and record data consistent with a planned scientific investigation.
4.3S.2 Summarize the results from a scientific investigation and use the results to respond to the question being tested.
Fifth Grade
5.1 Structure and Function: Living and non-living things are composed of related parts that function together to form systems.
5.1L.1 Explain that organisms are composed of parts that function together to form a living system
Materials and Costs:
List the equipment and non-consumable material and estimated cost of each
Item Cost
Hand lens (30 x $0.75 each) 22.50
http://www.onlinesciencemall.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/1787672/vpcsid/0/SFV/30852
Total Equipment and non-consumables: $22.50
List the consumable supplies and estimated cost for presenting to a class of 30 students:
Item Cost
Sugar cubes (1 box) 3.19
Foil 2.00
Candle (50/pk) 5.79
Total estimated cost of consumables: $10.98
Materials:
· A hand lens for each group.
· A sugar cube for each group.
· A piece of foil for each group.
· A jar candle for each group.
Procedure:
1. Review with your students what they know about the three types of rock—sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Review the formation of each type of rock.
2. Hand out student work sheet.
3. Hand out supplies: foil, sugar cubes, candles, and hand lenses.
4. Let the students follow the directions on the worksheet (to simulate the changes that occur during the rock cycle)- and answer the questions in groups of three to four.
5. A short discussion afterwards to explore student’s answers.
Time:
Preparation: 5 minutes
Instruction 35 minutes
Clean up: 5 minutes
Assessment:
The assessment will be the completed work sheet and the student response.
Rock Cycle Experiment with Sugar!
* Get into groups of three to 4.
* Gather supplies (foil, candle, sugar, hand lens)
* Follow the numbered directions
* Record Observations
1. Examine the sugar cube with a hand lens. How is the sugar cube like
sedimentary rock?
2. Crush the sugar cube into a powder. What part of the rock cycle does this
represent?
3. Make a “boat” with your foil. Pour the crushed sugar into the foil boat. What
part of the rock cycle does this movement represent?
4. Carefully put the “boat” over the candle flame. Observe as the sugar begins to
melt. What part of the rock cycle does this represent?
5. Set the foil boat away from the flame and wait 2-3 minutes. What happened to
the melted sugar? What part of the rock cycle does this represent?
6. Break the hardened sugar into pieces. What part of the rock cycle does this
represent?
Adapted from: http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/glossary.html