Purpose: To learn how rocks are formed, how to identify rocks, and how rocks are categorized. Note: This program requires an additional $5 per student lab fee so that each student can participate in the mining activity. Program length: 30-45 minutes; Mining activity is additional time on your own. We recommend that chaperones take the students in groups of 10 at a time to do this activity.
Background: The whole earth is made of rocks & minerals. Inside the earth is a layer of molten rock; on the outside, there is a hard crust which is covered by water, sand, soil and rock. A rock is made up of 1 or more minerals. A mineral is non-living and composed of 1 or more elements that are only found in nature.
There are three categories of rocks:
1. Sedimentary
2. Igneous
3. Metamorphic
Rocks can be identified by their physical properties. Some of these include: luster, hardness, texture, cleavage, streak, structure, color, magnetism, and acid test.
This program meets the following Sunshine State Standards:
SC.1.E.6.1, SC.2.E.6.1, SC.4.E.6.1, SC.4.E.6.2
Pre-Visit Activity:
1. Encourage students to look around and name some things that they see that are made of rocks.
2. Ask each student to research a specific rock and give a brief report to the class.
Post-Visit Activity:
1. Using the Cold River Mining rock identification brochure each student received during the mining activity and the knowledge gained during the Rock On! Geology program, students should be able to identify some of the specimens that they discovered on their visit to Lion Country Safari.
2. Students could try one of the scientific experiments on one or more of their rocks:
Does it float? What happens if you add vinegar? Is it magnetic?
Home of the Drive Through Safari Adventure!
2003 Lion Country Safari Road - Loxahatchee, Florida 33470
