Why study rocks? This kit helps you answer this question while providing rock samples for study. A fictional scenario describes the alleged discovery of diamonds in a national forest by a pair of hikers. Students learn that certain natural resources are often found in association with certain rocks. A reading on the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks supplements student observations as they examine, describe, and group rock samples. Students use this knowledge to identify the hikers' rock and decide whether the hikers were likely to have seen diamonds.

Step-by-step student worksheets guide students to work in pairs. The rock samples provided in this kit are 1" x 2" x 1" or larger [except hiker's rocks] and clearly show characteristic features of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. This kit is complete for 32 students and is reusable. Developed by SEPUP.