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Rock collecting is a popular hobby that children and adults can enjoy together. More than just a fun activity, rock collecting is a great way to study rocks and geology. It can also be a great science fair project. This article provides tips on how to win a science fair project with an awesome set of rocks.
Rock collecting can be done for fun or for learning or both at the same time. Many children return from the beach or park with a pocket full of assorted rocks, drawn to the shapes, colors, and textures. Taking a more systematic approach to collecting rocks can help kids take their fun to another level as they discover the underlying geology.
For a science fair project, it is most impressive if the student has collected many samples in person. It is interesting to include stories in the presentation. Photos of the adventure mounted on a foam board or in a photo album can help tell the story.
In order to collect your own set of rocks, you will need to choose a good hunting location. Check local geological maps and look for hills, cliffs, beaches, and quarries. Collect interesting rocks on trips. When collecting in person, label each sample with a number and location to aid in later identification. If you use a rock hammer to collect samples, wear protective eyewear and gloves.
However, not everyone has time to collect their own rock set. The good news is that you don’t have to collect your own because you can buy a rock set that contains just about any type of rock you can find on your own. For many busy families, a store-bought rock set is a good starting point.
To win a science fair project, your rock set must include examples of all three types of rocks listed below. There are three types of rocks classified by formation:
or igneous
or sedimentary
or Metamorphic
Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma or molten rock. Volcanic or extrusive rocks are the result of volcanic activity on the Earth’s surface and the rapid cooling of lava. Rapid cooling produces fine-grained rocks such as obsidian and basalt. Plutonic or intrusive rocks form below the surface, from slowly cooling magma. These rocks, like pumice and granite, tend to be rougher and have larger crystals.
Sedimentary rocks are formed through deposition in water. Small rock particles erode and accumulate in lakes, oceans, and rivers. Over time, these particles settle in layers and compress into rocks, such as sandstone, limestone, and chalk.
Metamorphic rocks are igneous or sedimentary rocks that have undergone extreme conditions of pressure and temperature, resulting in new forms. Marble is formed from limestone while quartzite is developed from quartz.
For a science fair winning project, consider using a stone jar to polish some of the samples. Rock turners smooth rocks by moving them into sand and other polishing compounds. Rocks of a similar hardness must be polished together, so first identify and classify the samples on the Mohs scale. The process takes about a month, beginning with a rough grind to smooth the edges and moving to a finer, more polished grit with each pass. Follow all dryer instructions for best results. Careful recording of rock amounts and types, polishing materials, and duration will create an informative science fair project. Note any changes to the contents of the beaker or actions taken to improve the process.
All of the tips provided so far are essential to winning a science fair project. However, if you really want to take your project to the next level, you will need to be fluent in rock. This is what separates the true rock lovers from the more casual passers-by. You’ll have to dig a little (no pun intended) into the science of how rocks form. Rocks are often made up of various minerals. Once a child knows how rocks and minerals are formed, it is easier to find different types. Understanding chemistry is helpful. Elements such as carbon, iron, and fluorite are the simplest building blocks of minerals. A specific combination of elements forms a mineral, such as quartz or mica. Minerals have characteristic crystal structures made up of repeating elements. Children enjoy identifying minerals with a set of rocks and hardness testing tools. The systematic approach involves looking at the color of the streak a rock leaves, along with its ability to scratch glass or be scratched by a metal probe. All of this additional knowledge will make your science fair project more impressive while developing your own knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of rocks.