SLEUTHING THROUGH THE ROCK CYCLE: AN INQUIRY-BASED INVESTIGATION TEACHING THE ROCK CYCLE TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Sleuthing Through the Rock Cycle is an inquiry-based online investigation designed to teach rocks and their formation to middle school students. It is one investigation within the NSF-sponsored Rhode Island Technology Enhanced Science (RITES) Project whose goal is to improve science education in Rhode Island, through building technology and inquiry rich experiences in science classrooms while increasing teacher comfort with and training of standards-based knowledge. The investigation invites students to act as geologic detectives by observing the clues contained in rocks, classifying rocks and then interpreting the story of their formation. It also guides students through the virtual study of the processes that drive the rock cycle. The investigation was developed by a higher education faculty and a K-12 teacher, working together and sharing their understandings, practical knowledge, and experience. The Sleuthing Through the Rock Cycle investigation was designed to address common misconceptions students have about rock formation. Although it is most effective when used in the classroom with one or multiple computers, it was carefully constructed so computers are not necessary for most of its implementation. The investigation would take a few weeks to fully execute, but it is designed so that individual sections can be completed without finishing it in its entirety. Sleuthing Through the Rock Cycle also includes teacher background information, a comprehensive answer key and suggestions for additional hands-on activities, so teachers without an earth science background can easily use it. Data are being collected to determine if the investigation effectively increases student knowledge of the rock cycle. Initial pre-post data were collected from 89 students in two middle schools. Students improved from 36% to 77% correct, with 83% of students having positive learning gains. Therefore, initial results indicate that Sleuthing Through the Rock Cycle is an effective method to increase student knowledge of rocks and their formation using inquiry techniques.