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Building Materials
Task with Student Directions

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.

  1. Descriptions
    Rock A



    Rock B



    Rock C




  2. 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.

  1. Tools and Results
    Rock A



    Rock B



    Rock C




  2. What are some of the other things you could do to the rocks to determine which one would last the longest? Explain why.








  3. Using your results, which rock (A, B, or C) would you recommend to use to build the benches and tables?

    Rock

    Explain why




  4. How can the weather wear down the rock benches and tables over time? Explain how.















 


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