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Bryce Canyon National Park Amphitheater
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Bryce Canyon National Park
Rocks & Minerals
Master Leopold Bigbugh and Scanner the Cycad investigating a cross-section of a rock.


 

This unit introduces students to
rocks and minerals, their uses, properties
and the rock cycle.

 

UNIT GOALS:

  • Understand the difference between rocks and minerals.
  • Know the three different rock types.
  • Recognize some uses of different rocks and minerals.
  • Have a basic understanding of the rock cycle.
 

UNIT ACTIVITIES:

1. Earth Rocks!: Introduction to the three types of rock.

2. Everywhere, Rocks and Minerals: Explore rocks and minerals you have around you everyday.

3. In or Out? Igneous Rocks: One of three main rock types, igneous rocks form from molten rock. This game allows students to be molecules of rock minerals that solidify to form various igneous rocks.

4. Limestone, Sandstone and Shale, Oh My!: Allows students to perform experiments to differentiate between sedimentary rock types.

5. Extension: Depositional Environments: Uses what was learned in the main sedimentary rock activity and allows students to discover the rock's history.

6. All Stressed Out!: Teaches about the stresses that make metamorphic rocks.

7. The Sweet Taste of a Sugar Rock Cycle: Teaches students the various interactions between the three main rock categories.

8. Testing the Physical Properties of Minerals: Teaches students different tests that can be used to identify an unknown rock or mineral.

9. Building a Rock and Mineral House: Allows students to use the information they learned about the properties of rocks and minerals to determine their possible uses in the past by Native Americans and in modern life by all of us today.

GEODETECTIVE Home - Rocks & Minerals Discovery Chest - Rocks & Minerals Kids Page

Contact our Education Outreach Specialist here.

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Temple-like spires can be seen in the main amphitheater at Bryce

Did You Know?
March 13, 1919: A Utah Joint Memorial passed legislation which read in part: We urge that the Congress of the United States set aside for the use and enjoyment of the people a suitable area embracing "Bryce's Canyon" as a national monument under the name: "Temple of the Gods National Monument."
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Last Updated: March 05, 2009 at 16:44 MST