How to Use Your New Metamorphic Rock Kit

 

Congratulations on your new metamorphic rock kit!  Your kit includes a hand magnifier and information cards to help you identify each metamorphic rock sample. 

 

 

Your Mini Me Geology hand magnifier has two different strengths – 3X and 6X.  The large area has a 3X magnification which means that the object you are looking at will appear to be three times its normal size.  The smaller area has a 6X magnification which means that the object you are looking at will appear to be six times its normal size.

 

To use your hand magnifier start by choosing a metamorphic rock sample.  Hold the rock on the opposite side of the hand magnifier from your eye.  Start by looking through the larger, 3X, area of the hand magnifier.  You can move the metamorphic rock or the hand magnifier until you can see clearly through the lens.  If you want to see certain parts of the sample even more closely, use the smaller 6X area and focus the lens in the same way.

 

 

The identification cards in your kit are designed to help you determine the name of each of your new metamorphic rock samples.  The information on each card will also provide you some fun facts about each metamorphic rock. 

 

To identify the metamorphic rock, examine the grain size and color first.  Samples that are very heavy or light weight or banded will also give you valuable clues to the rocks identity.  Remember to look at the photos on the identification cards too, but remember that most rocks can be more than one color and might look both light and dark.  You can use this information along with the hand lens and our identification flow chart to identify each metamorphic rock. 

 

You can also download and use our Metamorphic Rock ID Flow Chart for another fun way of identifying your rocks.  The download link is at the top of the page and details of how to use the chart are next.

 

 

To use our Metamorphic rock Identification Flow Chart, it will be easiest if you print out your own copy first.  The flow chart moves from left to right, following the arrows.

 

Step 1:  Select a Metamorphic rock - Choose the metamorphic rock that you want and place it on the “Metamorphic Rock to Identify” block.

 

Step 2:  Determine the Texture – Once you have chosen your rock, take a look at the texture.  The texture is the appearance of the crystals.  You will see that either the rock is:

Step 3:  Determine the Color – The next step is to decide the color of your metamorphic rock.  Some metamorphic rocks can be a variety of colors so choose the color that most closely matches the overall color of your sample. 

 

Step 4:  Test Special Features – Many of the special features can been seen by looking through your hand magnifier.  One of the rocks will fizz when you put a drop of vinegar on the surface.  Kids, get an adult to help you with the vinegar.  Sometimes, the special features are needed to identify your metamorphic rock, other times; the special features are simply a fun characteristic to see. 

 

Follow these steps for each of your metamorphic rock samples until you have looked at them all.  Once you know the name of your rocks, you can read about the uses of the rocks and where in the world they can be found on your identification cards in the kit.  If you need help, grab an adult and give us a call!