Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Activity

Lost – a hot rock

In this activity, students examine an igneous rock and synthesise these observations into a poster that includes characteristic features of igneous rocks.

Pumice, a rhyolite rock.

Pumice

See more

Pumice, a rhyolite, is very common in the central North Island. It may still have evidence of the bubbles of gas trapped as the rock solidified.

Rights: Hannes GrobeCreative Commons 2.5
Referencing Hub media

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • carefully observe rocks and carry out tests on them

  • identify the characteristics of igneous rocks

  • synthesise their investigations into a wanted poster.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes

  • what you need

  • what to do

  • discussion questions

  • extension activities.

Nature of science

Fieldwork is an important part of gathering evidence. Developing a poster provides an opportunity for students to be able to record their observations systematically.

Lost - a hot rock

WORD•932.21 KB

Related content

Discover more about different types of volcanoes and types of volcanic rock.

Glossary

Published: 9 April 2010
Referencing Hub articles

Explore related content

Hidden heat

Article

Hidden heat

Converting states of matter from one form into another requires the involvement of heat energy. For example, converting water at ...

Read more
The rock cycle

Article

The rock cycle

The Earth is an active planet. Earthquakes shake and volcanoes erupt. Sections of the crust are on the move. Mountains ...

Read more
Loss of the Night

Citizen science

Loss of the Night

Loss of the Night is an international citizen science project aiming to quantify the illumination of the night sky caused ...

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato