What You Do:

Explore the difference between rocks and minerals.

Collect and evaluate observational data.

Learn about mining and how it effects the earth.

Separate the ‘mineral’ components in your rice krispie ‘rock’.

What You Need:

For 24 Students:

Rice Krispie Cereal ( 6 cups )

Butter ( 3 Tbsp )

Marshmallows ( 10 oz )

Four Unique Mix-ins to act as Minerals ( Froot Loops, Raisins, M&M, Gummy Bears)

Large, Sturdy Toothpick ( 1 or 2 per student )

Plate or Paper Towel ( 1 per student )

Ziplock Baggies ( 1 per student )

Sharpie

Mining for Minerals Worksheet

What’s Happening:

A mineral is like a pure chocolate bar. It is made up of the same substance all the way through. They are solids. A mineral is made up of crystals. Almost all minerals have straight edges and flat surfaces. Minerals have different colours, hardness and crystal forms. There are about 2000 types of minerals.

A rock is like a chocolate bar with all of the “good stuff” (marshmallows, wafers,nuts, etc). They are made up of two or more minerals. The composition (what the rock is made of) varies. You may observe flecks and grains of different sizes and colours. There are only three types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary).