Introduction
Ready to go on a geological treasure hunt? This web quest will turn you into a "Rock Star" detective as you uncover how Earth’s building blocks are formed and classified.
Task
You are a junior geologist tasked with identifying a mysterious collection of rocks. To do this, you must learn the "secrets" of how they are born and what they look like.
Process
Step 1: The Three Families
First, you need to know who is who. Visit the Annenberg Learner Rock Cycle Interactive and explore the three main types of rocks.
- Igneous: Born from fire (magma/lava).
- Sedimentary: Born from layers of sand, mud, and fossils.
- Metamorphic: Born from intense heat and pressure deep underground.
Step 2: Identification Detective
How can you tell them apart? Use Britannica Kids and ThoughtCo’s Rock ID Guide to find these key clues:
- Crystals: Do they look like tiny mirrors? (Igneous/Metamorphic)
- Fossils: Can you see imprints of shells or leaves? (Sedimentary)
- Layers: Does it look like a stack of pancakes or have wavy stripes? (Sedimentary/Metamorphic)
- Gas Bubbles: Does it look like Swiss cheese? (Igneous)
Step 3: The Never-Ending Story (The Rock Cycle)
Rocks don’t stay the same forever! Watch the Science for Kids Rock Formation Video to see how one rock can transform into another through the Rock Cycle.
Evaluation
Evaluation Rubric
| Category | Diamond (4 pts) | Gold (3 pts) | Silver (2 pts) | Coal (1 pt) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Perfectly identifies and defines Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks. | Identifies all three types but definitions are slightly unclear. | Missing one rock type or definitions are confused. | Only one rock type is correctly identified. |
| Evidence & Examples | Provides 2+ accurate examples for each type with a "clue" (e.g., crystals, fossils). | Provides 2 examples for each type but no clues. | Only 1 example provided for each type. | Examples are incorrect or missing. |
| The Rock Cycle | Diagram clearly shows how rocks transform (Heat, Pressure, Erosion). | Diagram shows transitions but misses one process. | Diagram is present but lacks labels. | No diagram included. |
| The "Floater" Bonus | Correctly identifies Pumice and explains why it floats. | Identifies Pumice but doesn't explain why. | Mentions a floating rock but gets the name wrong. | Bonus question ignored. |
Conclusion
The Final Task
Create a "Geologist’s Field Guide" (a digital slide or a poster) that includes:
- Definitions: One sentence explaining how each of the three types forms.
- Examples: Name at least two specific rocks for each category (e.g., Granite for Igneous).
- Drawing: A simple diagram showing how an Igneous rock can become a Sedimentary rock.