Download Paper, Rock, Scissors CANDY

Name__________________________ Period_______ Date_______________
Candy Lab!
Purpose:
To observe and describe physical characteristics of a familiar model (candy) and apply to the unfamiliar
(rocks).
Background:
Good observations set the foundation for good interpretations. The ability to carefully observe and
describe things improves with practice. Here is a chance to practice your observation skills on something
you are already familiar with: CANDY! Can you describe the physical characteristics of these edible
samples without using food terms? Could you or someone else identify the sample after reading your
descriptions?
Materials:
Pencil
Pictures of 8 types of candy
Rock descriptions list
Procedure:
1. Spread out all the candy pictures.
2. For each sample, describe the interior and exterior. However do not use food terms! For example, do
not use the word chocolate. An example has been done for you.
Sample
Mr. Goodbar
Description
Dark brown material with light inclusions
I, S, M Rock name
Nestle Crunch
Hershey Bar
Butterfinger
Rice Krispy
Bar
Jolly Rancher
Snickers
3 Musketeers
Kit Kat
3. Now, sort the candy samples into groups based on the process of how they candy was created. Group
the candy with a similar formation process together.
4. Once all the candies have been placed into a group, create a tree map on the back of this sheet that
defines how you grouped each candy. Label each branch of the tree map for each group. We will do a
sample tree map together.
5. Under each label, list the types of candies in each group.
Tree Maps
A tree map is a tool you can use when you are trying to classify or group things.
Here is an example.
Let’s try one together.
Apple
Banana
Yogurt
Cheese
Apricot
Milk
Peach
Make your candy tree map here. Do not forget to include how the candy was formed.
6. How are these candy samples like rocks? There are 3 types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic. Igneous rocks are formed from molten material, sedimentary from sediment (bits and pieces
of rock and other material), and metamorphic have undergone a change through intense heat and pressure.
Look at the candy samples… which ones do you think were Igneous? Sedimentary? Metamorphic? Note
this in the table.
7. Obtain a list of the rocks that the candies represented from your teacher. Try to match each candy to its
rock twin. Record your responses in the table.
Rock Descriptions
Andesite: Igneous volcanic rock with dark to medium grains
with inclusions.
Basalt: Igneous volcanic rock with fine grains and rounded,
lighter colored inclusions.
Conglomerate: Coarse-grained sedimentary rock made of
rounded pebbles.
Gneiss: Layered rock with bands or streaks of light and dark
minerals.
Obsidian: Glassy igneous rock. Formed from rapidly cooling
lava.
Pumice: Igneous rock with a holey texture (indicates a high
concentration of gas during formation). Will float in water.
Sandstone: Medium grained, light colored sedimentary rock
with evident layers.
Schist: Layered metamorphic rock with a lot of mica.
Shale: Fine grained rock made primarily of mud/clay. Comes
in a variety of dark colors.