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!
Contact education@vinsweb.org with questions or comments.