Investigating Rocks

Investigating Rocks — What can we learn by looking at different layers of rocks?

Materials:

• Access to an outdoor space
• Access to rocks, preferably rock outcroppings or areas to observe rock layers
• Clear jar or container (something that can get dirty, from your recycling bin)
• Paper (or your science journal)
• Colored pencils
• Pencil
• Camera (optional)

What to do:

• Go outside to an area where you can observe rocks.  See if you can find a rock or a rocky area that has different layers, like this:
• What do you think causes different layers of rocks to build like this?
• Write your observations in your science journal.  Draw a sketch of the rocks you find.
• As you look for your rocks, collect a layer of rocks at each place you visit.  Fill your jar with a layer at each stop, like this:

• Once you have looked at many different rocks and layers and have filled your jars.  Make some observations of your jar:
  • If these were rock layers on the earth, what rocks would be the oldest?  Why?
  • How do rock layers form naturally on earth?  Why do you think that?
• Share your findings and your science journal drawings by posting them on Facebook and tagging us @VINS.VT!