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Contributed by: The RAND Institute (RAND)
Spring 1993 Research Pilot
Task: Your team plans to use rocks from the area to create
picnic tables and benches in the nature-watch picnic area. They
found three rock samples that they would like to use. Since these
rocks are part of the natural environment, they can be worn down
by wind, rain, running water, and physical abuse. Your job is to
choose the best rock that will last for the longest period of time
under these conditions.
Materials:
- Three rocks labeled A, B, and C
- Nail
- Sandpaper
- Penny
- Hand Lens
Directions:
- Using your hand lens, observe your three rocks.
- In the chart below, describe what each rock looks like.
- Include three features of each rock in your description.
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Descriptions |
| Rock A |
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| Rock B |
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| Rock C |
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- Based on your observations, which of these three rocks (A,
B, or C) would be best for building the tables and benches?
Rock
Explain why
Directions:
- Look at the tools in Bag #1.
- Use the tools in Bag #1 to test your rock samples.
- You may use 1, 2, or all 3 tools on each rock.
- For each rock, describe which tools you used and tell what happened
to the rocks when you used the tools.
- Record your results in the chart below.
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Tools and Results |
| Rock A |
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| Rock B |
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| Rock C |
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- What are some of the other things you could do to the rocks
to determine which one would last the longest? Explain why.
- Using your results, which rock (A, B, or C) would you recommend
to use to build the benches and tables?
Rock
Explain why
- How can the weather wear down the rock benches and tables over
time? Explain how.
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