Life-Hosting Rocks

Students will be able to:

• Recognize and identify sedimentary rocks on Earth and Mars
• Identify sedimentary structures that provide clues as to the environment of formation (i.e. mud cracks, cross-bedding etc.).
• Observe the expansion of clays and explain why water influences clay-rich rocks at the molecular level

This learning module is meant for adaptation in an introductory earth science course and/or planetary science course. Students need a prior knowledge of minerals before going through this module. Provide an understanding of grain sorting and sedimentary structures resulting from varying energy in the system (Ex: low energy = laminations; cross-bedding = higher energy system).

Compiled In-Class Activities and Homework

• Instructor Version (Acrobat (PDF) 1.4MB Nov21 16)
  
• Student Version (Acrobat (PDF) 1MB Nov21 16)

In-Class Activity

• In-Class Activity 1: Swelling Rocks
  
• Student Version (Acrobat (PDF) 650kB Nov21 16); Instructor Version (Acrobat (PDF) 928kB Nov21 16)
• In-Class Activity 2: Understanding Albedo
  
• Student Version (Acrobat (PDF) 666kB Nov21 16); Instructor Version (Acrobat (PDF) 1.1MB Nov21 16)

Homework/Lab

• Homework 1: The Energy of Rocks
  
• Student Version (Acrobat (PDF) 971kB Nov21 16); Instructor Version (Acrobat (PDF) 1.2MB Nov21 16)

The In-Class Activities can be utilized as homework as well. The activity is designed as such that students can effectively complete the activity at home.

Each In-Class Activity and Homework has its own method of assessment.

1. Image file: Life-Hosting Rocks (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 22.2MB Jan20 14)
2. Swelling clay-rich soil demonstration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACpuYED9WkU
3. Ripple-formation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRGuMddjRGg&list=PL17AFB4B8AB3DCCF7
4. Laminar-flow video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3YZ5veN_Bg