Amelia Earhart Students Study Rocks Using a ‘Sweet’ Method

September 6th, 2019 /
Shauna Sprunger /
Amelia Earhart, Elementary School, News, Schools

Amelia Earhart Elementary fourth graders learned about rocks using a “sweet” method. This week, they conducted an experiment where they used Starburst candies to learn about three different types of rocks.

Through using Starbursts, the students were able to visualize the sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous stages of the rock cycle. They did this through using heat, pressure, and a combination of both on their candies.

This activity went along with the fourth grade common core science standard, which states: “Identify basic properties of minerals and rocks. Sort rocks by appearance according to the three basic types: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic (e.g., sedimentary-rounded-appearing mineral and rock particles that are cemented together, often in layers; igneous-with or without observable crystals that are not in layers or with or without air holes or glass like; metamorphic- crystals/minerals, often in layers)”.

As students made observations about their own Starburst rocks, they were able to better visualize the rock cycle and learn more about the process that keeps the cycle continuing. Not only this, but they were also able to eat their Starburst at the end of the lesson, making this activity a pretty “sweet” one.