Unknown rock identification exercise

This week the students in SC 130 Physical Science learned about characteristics of rocks including type of rock, hardness, luster, breakage, and streak color. Students also learned how to use online tools to identify rocks, using characteristics to confirm an identity.

Rock fragments 

On Thursday I learned the college had recently received patio flagstones for the student union. The patio flagstones were a type of rock the students hadn't seen before. 

Streak sheets and 5.5 hardness test glass 

With thanks to the director of maintenance, I was permitted to gather some smaller fragments that had detached during shipping. 

Leona working on her fragment

On Friday I had the students test their abilities at identifying an unknown rock. The students were told that in order for the college to properly care for the forthcoming patio, knowing the nature, type, and name of the patio flagstones was essential. Their task was to be a geologist consultant identifying the rock that the patio flagstones are made from.

Unica testing the streak color

The students are trained to use their cell phones to help them seek answers - in SC 130 cell phone apps are tools used in scientific discovery.

The students worked diligently on identifying the unknown rock.

My thanks to the director of maintenance and the college for this serendipitous opportunity for the students to work with an unknown rock type. 

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