Rocks Rock at Building Stuff STEM Challenge

Rocks are natural objects that are composed of solid crystals. Rocks are made of a mixture of minerals. Rocks have different attributes (features) that are used to describe them including their color texture, luster, and hardness.

The color, or tint, of a rock depends on the minerals that are found in the rock. The colors can be bright and lively or dull and  cloudy.  Brightly colored rocks that are cut and polished are often called gems. The texture of a rock refers to how the rock feels on the surface.  Some rocks feel smooth when you touch them while others feel rough.  While the texture of a rock determines how it feels, you can also see with your eyes how textures like smooth and rough are different.  

The luster of a rock refers to the sparkle and shine of a rock.   Rocks that reflect lots of light usually have lots of luster. The hardness of a rock describes the stiffness of a rock.  Hard rocks resist scratching, denting, and bending.   The hardness of rocks and minerals can be measured using the Mohs scale.  

Rocks are often used to build things like walls, floors, chimneys, walkways, and fences. In this STEM Challenge, your task is to design and build something useful using rocks and cement. Good luck with this STEM Challenge.

 

snip-20200401134001_orig
materialsneeded_orig

​Rocks Rock Resources:

youtube-video-thumbnail