**Hands-On Activity: Edible Rocks – Rock Life Cycle**
**Materials:**
1. 3 Mason canning jars
2. Semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips
3. White chocolate chips
4. Peanut butter chocolate chips
5. Plastic wrap
6. Microwave
7. Paper, pen, and tape to label each jar
8. Optional: Rock samples from the three types of rock categories
**Step-by-Step Guide:**
1. **Introduction (5 minutes):**
– Discuss the three types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
– Introduce the concept of the rock life cycle.
2. **Gathering Materials (5 minutes):**
– Assemble the required materials, including mason jars, various chocolate chips, plastic wrap, microwave, and labels.
3. **Sedimentary Rock (15 minutes):**
– Explain the process while making a jar to represent sedimentary rock.
– Add layers of brown chocolate chips to the jar, representing sediment layers.
– Add ¼ cup each of semi-sweet, peanut butter, and white chocolate chips in layers.
– Discuss the representation of different rock types in layers.
– Crush the layers with a spoon or fingers to simulate compaction.
4. **Metamorphic Rock (20 minutes):**
– Discuss the transition to metamorphic rock.
– Repeat the layering process in a second jar.
– Cover the jar with plastic wrap and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until layers mostly melt but remain separate.
– Caution: Allow the jar to cool completely before handling.
– Gently smoosh the chocolate layers with a spoon to observe changes.
– Optional: Pop the cooled rock out of the jar and discuss the metamorphic treat.
5. **Igneous Rock (20 minutes):**
– Discuss the process of igneous rock formation.
– Layer chocolate chips in the third jar.
– Melt the chocolate completely by microwaving in 1-minute intervals and stirring.
– Allow the melted chocolate to cool before handling.
– With a spoon, drop a blob of the liquid on parchment paper, simulating volcanic activity.
– Discuss how the liquid cools and solidifies to start the rock cycle again.
6. **Discussion (10 minutes):**
– Facilitate a group discussion about the different types of rocks, the processes involved, and the representation of the rock life cycle.
– Discuss observations made during the activity.
7. **Conclusion (5 minutes):**
– Summarize the edible rock activity, emphasizing the hands-on experience of the rock life cycle.
– Discuss the connections between the edible representation and real geological processes.
**Learning Outcomes:**
1. **Understanding Rock Types:** Participants will learn about sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks through a hands-on edible activity.
2. **Application of Geological Concepts:** The activity applies geological concepts like compaction, melting, and solidification in a simplified and edible form.
3. **Observational Skills:** Observing changes in chocolate layers enhances participants’ observational skills.
4. **Hands-On Exploration:** The hands-on nature of the activity promotes experiential learning and engagement.
5. **Connection to Real-World Processes:** Discussing the rock life cycle fosters an understanding of geological processes and their significance.