My class is working on Earth Science and what better way to way to work on that, but to make rocks out of chocolate! We had a free morning, so here’s what we did:
We started by cutting up a big hunk of chocolate into nice big chunks to melt down into “lava”.
We also chopped up some nuts to stand for our “minerals” that mix into our “lava” during heating. Then, we scooped our rocks onto a tray to let them cool into our “igneous rocks”.
Next, we started in our “sedimentary rocks”. On top our our cookie “layered rocks”, we layered melted chocolate, chunk chocolate and nuts. Then, we covered the “rocks” with plastic wrap and worked together to apply pressure to our “sedimentary rocks”.
Finally, we made our “metamorphic rocks” by placing our pre-formed sedimentary rocks into the microwave for some quick “heat” and applied more pressure. This time, however, the pressure was applied by just me, as it was a sticky, chocolately mess! Of course, at the end, we at our yummy products!
Throughout the entire process, my students had a data collection sheet that they used to record what their rocks looked like, and keep them busy
through the transition time that generally occurs in all cooking activities. Feel free to download a copy of this sheet from Google Docs if your class wants to make Chocolate Rocks too.
We started by cutting up a big hunk of chocolate into nice big chunks to melt down into “lava”.
We also chopped up some nuts to stand for our “minerals” that mix into our “lava” during heating. Then, we scooped our rocks onto a tray to let them cool into our “igneous rocks”.
Next, we started in our “sedimentary rocks”. On top our our cookie “layered rocks”, we layered melted chocolate, chunk chocolate and nuts. Then, we covered the “rocks” with plastic wrap and worked together to apply pressure to our “sedimentary rocks”.
Finally, we made our “metamorphic rocks” by placing our pre-formed sedimentary rocks into the microwave for some quick “heat” and applied more pressure. This time, however, the pressure was applied by just me, as it was a sticky, chocolately mess! Of course, at the end, we at our yummy products!
Throughout the entire process, my students had a data collection sheet that they used to record what their rocks looked like, and keep them busy
through the transition time that generally occurs in all cooking activities. Feel free to download a copy of this sheet from Google Docs if your class wants to make Chocolate Rocks too.
Great project! I'll bet it was one of the most memorable chocolate -- I mean, math -- lessons ever! Thanks for explaining it. I only wish I still taught the rock cycle...
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I did the same idea last year with my students. For sedimentary we used oreos as the layers of rock, for igneous I brought in my crockpot and we did melted chocolate that then cooled/hardened on the spoons, and for metamorphic I brought in my griddle and I made chocolate chip pancakes. I'm set to do these 3 lessons again the week before Christmas vacation. :)
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