Rocks in our area

Rocks in our area

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about how and where to find information about rocks and landscapes.

Question 1Change answer

rocks at the beach
You are going to study the rock types and rock formations or features in your local area for a school project.
 
a) What are three main questions you could ask about the local rock types and formations?
1.
2.
3.

Question 1Change answer

b)  Finish the table below to show places or people you could go to, to find out the information you need for your school project. Write down the information you might get from that source. An example has been done for you.
Where could I go, or who could I ask, to get information? Exactly what type of information could I get from this source?
A geologist or rock scientist
Samples of rocks. Information on the different types of rock and how they were formed.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
rocks at the beach
Image: © J.Fisher | Photokete
All images copyright to PhotoKete are used under license and can be freely used for educational purposes in New Zealand Aotearoa.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
Earth systems, rock layers, rocks, questions, information gathering
Description of task: 
This task requires students to develop questions about their local geology and name possible information sources.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.

 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to identify questions that can be investigated.
Making Better Sense: 
Different Rock/Soil Types
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (05/2003)
a) Any 3 of:

  • What are the different types of rocks in our area?
  • How many main rock types are there in our area?
  • What are the characteristics of our local rocks?
  • How old are they?
  • What are the different rock features in our area?
  • How were they formed?
  • Other acceptable questions.

NOTE: Many answers were not in question format.

 3 correct - difficult

2 correct - easy

1 correct - very easy
b) Any 3 useful sources and likely information, e.g.:

  • National/local/school library
    Background information on all types of rock.
  • Local/national Internet site
    Background information on local geology/geology of NZ/formation of local features.
  • Department of Conservation (DOC)A map of local rock and soil types.
  • Local Information Centre/ DOC Centre/museum
    Background information on local geology/formation of local features.
  • Local kaumatua/kuia
    Local pre-European history and legends related to local landforms.
  • Local rock club
    Loan of rock samples/interview with local "expert".
  • Local road building contractor
    Information on the advantages and disadvantages of working with different types of rock.
  • Local rock formation
    Collect samples of different types of rock.
  • Any other appropriate sources
  • Any other probable information type linked to that source.

NOTE: A science teacher was accepted as a source.

Sources

3 correct - difficult

2 correct - moderate

1 correct - very easy

Information
3 correct - very difficult

2 correct - difficult

1 correct - easy