Analysis of Students Work

Stem Lesson-Geology Rocks!

In this lesson, students were expected to describe rocks and group them on the basis of their
size, weight and texture. They would then work in teams to carry out research on a rock
provided to them by doing simple experiments. Each student would record in their own work
sheet. Finally they would make a replica of their rock and record a short report on their work.
The student’s work analyzed here belonged to Team Green. The rock given was pumice
The team made predictions and they were right as far as magnetism and floating were concerned. The
change they were refering to in vinegar test was not really a reaction but the fact that the rock got wet.
The penny scratched the rock, which they did not expect. Their assumption was that a rock is harder
than any other given material hence cannot be scratched.The prediction on weight was a bit off- 55
unifix cubes when it actually weighed 3 cubes. The picture drawn was quite accurate for their level. They
included the pore and gave it an impresson of 3-D.
Below is the real rock issued to the group and its replica. The two look quite similar in terms of
shape,size and color. Upon testing the replica, it floated in water, was one unifix cube heavier than the
real rock,was scratched by a penny and was non-magnetic.

Pictures showing how the team sorted out the rocks based on weight , size amd texture are also
included.
Below is a short report on the rock from one of the student of the students.

GRocks.MOV